POLICE were called to a motorhome site on Cumbrae after a group of Travelling people arrived on the island.

The group initially stopped at the West Bay, near the island's helipad, when they first arrived on the island on Friday night.

But the following morning they relocated to the recently-opened motorhome site at Garrison House.

However the Garrison site is not designed for Travellers' caravans - and police were called out to assist.

One motorhome owner told the News four caravans had arrived at the site unannounced.

He said: "I have contacted the police who have said they can do nothing about it."

The caravans and their occupants later left the scene, and caught the ferry back to the mainland later that day.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 8.40am on Saturday, April 29, police were called to a privately-owned caravan park on Millport after a report that a number of unauthorised vehicles had parked within the site.

"The caravans left the property and no further police action was required."

A North Ayrshire Council (NAC) spokesperson said: "They left the island on Saturday.

"We would work with the landowner to offer advice and assistance as the council doesn’t have any powers to move them on."

NAC considers travellers to be a minority ethnic community, as set out by Scottish Government guidelines.

The spokesperson continued: "In line with Scottish Government guidelines, North Ayrshire Council considers travellers to be a minority ethnic community.

"The council recognises travellers right to a nomadic life and respects that travellers may wish to maintain a travelling way of life as part of their cultural identity.

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"There should be no discrimination against travellers because of their way of life or culture."

North Ayrshire Council employs a dedicated encampment officer, whose main duties include coordinating the council's response to unauthorised sites, identifying welfare and supporting the needs of travellers.

The encampment officer works with Police Scotland, relying on their support when visiting sites.

The new hard-standing parking area for motorhomes on Millport was introduced in the summer of 2021, with space for 17 motorhomes on the ground to the rear of the Garrison building.