Caravan sites and holiday parks

Guidance for campsites, holiday parks, caravan sites, motorhome hire businesses and their users.

Who this guidance is for

This guidance is for campsites, holiday parks, caravan sites and motorhome hire businesses.

It does not cover residential parks (mobile home sites).

Where we are now

Campsites, holiday parks, caravan sites and motorhome hire businesses were previously asked to close to all new holidaymakers, tourers and other visitors and ask existing visitors on site or those hiring vehicles for non-essential travel to return home as soon as possible, provided it was safe and practical to do so.

As part of the route map Coronavirus (COVID-19) Phase 2: Scotland’s route map – physical distancing update 2 July 2020, travel restrictions will be relaxed and there will be relaxations on accommodation providers, with fully self-contained self-catering accommodation and second homes permitted to be open/occupied from 3 July.

However, the risk of spreading the infection remains, and this relaxation is qualified by certain conditions, and careful consideration should be applied when approaching any of the relaxation measures.

Self-contained holiday accommodation

Most self-contained holiday accommodation, including fully self-catering accommodation, holiday homes/second homes and caravan and campervan parks can open from 3 July on the condition that the only accommodation provided/allowed are fully self-contained units with no shared facilities between households.  For the avoidance of doubt shared facilities include entrance hallways, stairs and landings.  Properties that are accessed via a common entrance cannot therefore reopen at this point.

Caravans and motorhomes

In the case of caravans and motorhomes this means that sites may only be used by fully self-contained units that have their own hygiene/toilet facilities, integral water supply and waste water disposal, and do not rely on shared facilities (such as washing or kitchen facilities). Motorhome hire businesses may only supply units that meet these criteria.

Campsites

Campsites should only be available for users that have fully self-contained facilities, for example, caravans and motorhomes/campervans, as defined above.  There should be no use of communal /shared facilities between households. This means campsite should only accept users that will not rely on shared facilities.

For everyone’s safety, the first easing of travel restrictions applies to self-contained accommodation only. This means, for example, holiday homes and motorhomes where users have access to toilet and bathroom facilities which are not shared, and which have to be booked in advance so numbers can be managed. It does not include camping in tents, where campers would have to rely on shared facilities, or in the wild, since this is not ‘booked’ in advance so numbers cannot be managed.

Those who want to camp in tents in the wild, or in campsites using shared facilities, are asked to wait until we confirm that Scotland’s tourism sector can re-open. We hope to do this on 15 July 2020.

All visitors and tourists, regardless of accommodation type, are asked to respect the environment and the destination that they are visiting.

This will be further reviewed as we progress through the route map.

All users of self-contained holiday accommodation and second homes must follow the current physical distancing advice to ensure any risks to themselves or the wider public are strictly minimised.

Limited exemptions

Previous limited exceptions in place to allow sites to remain open, on a partial basis, to accommodate circumstances where people may be living permanently on holiday sites, or otherwise risk homelessness, or where sites are accommodating staff such as essential and key workers, remain in place.

Caravan site, campsites and holiday parks can start operating from 3rd July, provided they adhere to the fully self-contained requirements, both for static accommodation and touring vehicles.

This guidance relates to holiday parks, not to residential parks (mobile home sites) The position for residential parks remains unchanged.

Related information

Prior to opening operators should refer to the full relevant guidance:

And take appropriate action including:

  • carrying out a risk assessment, considering factors that may be impacted by re-opening of the site such as requirement for physical distancing, local traffic, local supply provisions, etc.;
  • conducting routine checks and take all measures appropriate to reopening after a prolonged closure
  • making adjustments such as signage, blocking off areas and road / floor markings to ensure physical distancing is maintained between accommodation units and between users as required;
  • consider the need for additional waste management arrangements
  • consider implementation of a one way system where possible
  • consider the use of footpaths and cycle paths in terms of signage and physical distancing requirements

Please note the above list is not exhaustive and operators should check the full guidance.

Compliance

Following the passage of the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 on 26 March 2020, closures of campsites and caravan parks beyond the provision of self-contained accommodation, not reliant on shared facilities, excluding certain exemptions, remain enforceable by law in Scotland due to the threat to public health.

Police Scotland will monitor compliance with these regulations, and have indicated that they will take a reasonable, fair and proportionate approach.

Next steps

Certain businesses and premises, as described above, are allowed to open for trade from 3 July 2020. This change is now reflected in legislation. We will look again at these measures each 21 days from the regulations coming into force, or as required and informed by the route map and relevant advice, and relax them if the evidence shows this is possible.

Source: Scottish Government