Gypsy/Travellers in Highland

We recognise and respect that:

  • People may wish to follow a travelling way of life
  • There should be no discrimination against Gypsy/Travellers because of their way of life and culture
  •  Some services, such as education, health and accommodation, may be difficult for Gypsy/Travellers to access.

There are 4 Council owned sites in Highland where Gypsy / Travellers can rent a pitch. These can be found at:

  •  Kentallen, Lochaber
  •  Longman, Inverness
  •  Newtonmore, Badenoch & Strathspey and;
  •  Spean Bridge, Lochaber.

If you want to rent a pitch on any of these sites, please call The Highland Council or speak to someone at one of the Council’s Service Points. There are site officers who can help you get the services you need.

You can get a leaflet about The Highland Council’s sites for Gypsy / Travellers at any Council office.  This leaflet also gives information about the Council’s policy for managing camping in places where permission has not been given. You can also get this information by clicking on the link above.

The Council provides help to Gypsy / Traveller families with their learning and education - click here for an information leaflet.

Improving Services

A Multi-Agency Action Plan is in place in Highland which aims to:

  • improve Gypsy/Travellers access to, and experiences of, services;
  • develop and improve services so that services meet their needs;
  • break down service barriers by increasing understanding of their culture and issues they face; and
  • engage and involve Gypsy/Travellers and assess their needs.

An update to the Plan was reported to Housing and Social Work Committee in May 2010.

The Action Plan, Update, Committee report and consultation feedback newsletter, can be downloaded in ‘current documents’ or requested from the Highland Council.

Reports about past initiatives to improve services for Gypsy / Travellers in Highland are also available from the Highland Council. 

We have also recently commissioned independent research with Gypsy/Traveller site residents to get their views on current site provision and priorities for future investment.  The report of the findings is available under "Current Documents".