REVEALED: Find out where 'voluntary' car park meters are located in the Highlands

Drivers could be forgiven for being confused by new parking meters at locations across the region.

But these are part of Highland Council's so-called 'invitation to pay scheme'.

• How much will it cost me to park in Inverness from April 1?

With each new parking meter costing £4000 to install, it represents an investment of at least £144,000.

Each parking meter also costs £400 for annual maintenance – equating to at least £14,400.

Last year the scheme generated £165,744.67 from the following sites: INVERNESS – Torvean (Motorhomes permitted for 24hrs [MH]); NAIRN – Cumming St/Links, Harbour (MH), The Maggot; WESTER ROSS – Ullapool (Latheron Car Park (MH)), Dornie Hall Car Park, Gairloch Harbour Car Park (MH), Kyle (Upper Car Park), Little Gruinard Beach (MH), Plockton Village; SUTHERLAND – Achmelvich Beach, Clachtol Beach, Durness village (MH), Golspie (Fountain Road), Golspie (Shore Street (MH)), Dornoch Beach Car Park; CAITHNESS – Dunnet Head Car Park (MH), Dunnet Seadrift Car Park (MH), Noss Head Car Park, Reiss Beach Car Park (MH), Wick (Riverside Car Park (MH)), Wick (Camps Car Park); LOCHABER – Mallaig West Bay.

• More than £55k generated in voluntary parking charges in Nairn

These additional 10 locations are getting these type of parking meter this summer: INVERNESS – Inverness Leisure Car Park, Whin Park Car Park; DRUMNADROCHIT – Village Car Park; INVERMORISTON – Village Car Park; FOYERS – Foyers Car Park; BLACK ISLE – North Kessock (Waterfront Car Park), Fortrose (Sports Centre Car Park); BADENOCH & STRATHSPEY – Grantown (Village Car Park), Kingussie (Ardvonie Car Park), Carrbridge (Village Car Park).

There will be 15 meters spread across the 10 newest sites.

• 'Voluntary' parking payment meters introduced at Inverness Leisure

A council spokesman said: “Following decisions by councillors at the March 2023 council meeting, the Highland Council is extending their successful ‘Invitation To Pay Scheme’ to additional car parks this year. The scheme invites customers to pay for their stay to directly support investment in local infrastructure and facilities. Non-payment will not be enforced as this is a donation-based scheme.

“The 23 car parks delivered since 2021 have grossed £165,744. A further 10 sites are being delivered this summer with more being reviewed for implementation.”

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.