Drivers make feelings clear on introducing motorhome and campervan tax amid mounting overcrowding concerns

"As a local Highlander, I do understand the frustrations that people can often experience at the height of summer," Forbes told the Herald, acknowledging the impact of increased tourism on the region.

The announcement comes amid growing pressure from local politicians and communities who argue that the popular 500-mile scenic route cannot cope with current visitor numbers.

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Forbes, who serves as MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch as well as Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, emphasised that the Highland Council could "consider alternative approaches" through their visitor levy plans.

"There are only five roads in and out of the Highlands, so it can't be that difficult to figure out who is travelling in, who is travelling out, and how you can work with people at that point to look at whether a financial contribution can be made," she explained.

The Deputy First Minister revealed she had met with the Highland Council to discuss building on last year's discretionary membership pilot scheme.

She suggested that providing good facilities could create advantages for both campervan users and the council, allowing for reinvestment in infrastructure improvements.

The North Coast 500 has experienced a dramatic surge in popularity since its launch in 2015, with Highland Council reporting that campervan numbers reached approximately 36,000 in 2022.

Overall visitor numbers to the Highlands have increased by 65 per cent since 2012, according to council data. The scenic route, dubbed "Scotland's Route 66", has attracted tourists from around the world who rent campervans to complete the 500-mile coastal journey from Inverness.

A Glasgow Caledonian University study found the route has generated £22million annually for the local economy while creating around 200 full-time jobs.

However, the influx has led to tensions between locals and tourists, with complaints about road congestion and allegations of illegal waste dumping by some campervan users.

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Highland Council's voluntary scheme, introduced last year, has struggled to gain traction, raising just £20,000 in its first year despite targeting £500,000 in revenue.

The scheme offered campervan visitors a £40 seven-day pass providing parking in council car parks and daily access to shower facilities.

The council is currently reviewing broader visitor levy proposals that would impose a five per cent charge on overnight accommodation, including hotels, B&Bs and holiday lets.

This wider levy could generate £10million annually, with potential for increased revenue if campervans were included. If approved, the levy could be implemented by the end of next year, the earliest date permitted under Scottish Government legislation passed last year.

But local business groups have opposed the proposals, fearing they would disadvantage the region compared to other UK destinations. Politicians in the area have expressed mixed views on the campervan tax proposal, with some advocating for stronger measures.

Labour's Shaun Fraser, standing to be MSP for Inverness and Nairn, supported exploring "options attached to campervans, including number plate recognition to charge visiting campervans using Highland roads".

"Our roads cannot cope with this. It is a mixed blessing," Fraser stated, noting that whilst tourism initiatives like the NC500 have transformed Highland tourism, they have also brought challenges.

But SNP MSP Emma Roddick backed the inclusion of campervan visitors in any wider tourist tax, stating it was "fair" that drivers contributed to the "preservation and maintenance of the areas they enjoy so much". Both politicians emphasised that Highland communities and local services must benefit from tourism revenue.