New ranger service will tackle ‘dirty camping’
series of recommendations to help alleviate the problem. These are:
• Local communities should be actively involved in planning visitor management.
•As part of a green recovery from COVID-19, the Scottish Government should develop strategic targeting of funding for rural infrastructure, directing it to where it is most needed.
•The Scottish Government should promote awareness of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) and the principle of ‘leave no trace’ so that people can appreciate and enjoy wild places responsibly without disruption to local communities.
•Campervan hire companies should be required to provide tourists with appropriate guidance on the SOAC, how to navigate single track roads, and how to dispose of waste.
•VisitScotland should promote ‘slow’ tourism and encourage multiple night stays rather than fleeting visits, in order to maximise local economic value and minimise the carbon footprint of tourism.
•Visit Scotland should seek to spread out visitor numbers geographically by reducing focus on high-profile hot-spots and encouraging people to discover lesser-known areas of wild beauty.
Cecilie Dohm, policy officer for the John Muir Trust and lead author of the report, said: “Locals understand the need to maintain and nurture tourism, which is the economic lifeblood of many communities in our most fragile and sparsely populated areas.
“At the same time, they feel strongly that existing levels of investment in rural infrastructure and resources is inadequate and unable to deal with the rising numbers and pressures.
“With severe restrictions on international travel likely to remain in place for the near future, this summer is likely to see a huge wave of visitors from across the UK into some of our most popular destinations. We believe that we need to empower local communities and ensure they have a valid voice in the key decision-making processes that affect them.”
The John Muir Trust welcomed the recent announcement by the Scottish Government to double the Rural
Tourism Infrastructure Fund to £6 million in 2021-2022 and wants to maintain that funding into the future.
But it says local authority cuts have already had an impact.
“Many rural communities have experienced a reduction in essential facilities like public toilets, bin collections and countryside ranger services,” added Ms Dohm.
“Without adequate infrastructure in place, the increasing visitor pressures may damage local areas and detract from the very things that bring people to the Highlands and Islands in the first place.”
Perth and Kinross Council is creating a new ranger service to help tackle‘dirty camping.’
At Wednesday’s (March 10) budget meeting councillors approved almost £750,000 towards a visitor management fund and the creation of a countryside ranger service.
Councillors voted for PKC to contribute almost £500,000 to creating a countryside ranger service in an idea proposed by the Independent/Labour group.
Independent councillor Xander McDade convenes the Cairngorms National Park board and has seen the service work there.
Raising the proposal at Wednesday’s meeting of the full council, the Highland ward councillor said:“This new ranger service would work with our partner agencies and support our communities by providing advice to visitors on accessing the countryside responsibly.
“We know that engagement is critical to reduce the effects of littering, fires and anti-social behaviour that can be caused by irresponsible access and given the expectation of another staycation boom it is vital this investment is made now.
“These measures will create a nicer environment for residents and tourists and allow Perth and Kinross to continue to be promoted as a positive place to visit by our tourism businesses.”
Conservative council leader Murray Lyle welcomed the suggestion and - following a recess - incorporated the proposal into his administration’s final budget.
He said committing to providing a ranger service over the next two years would “enhance”the visitor management fund.
The move was welcomed by Highland Perthshire Conservative councillor John Duff, who hopes it will become a permanent service.
Cllr Duff said:“This is an exciting and significant development for Perth and Kinross and for Highland Perthshire in particular. It will greatly assist in our management of visitors and tourists who come to enjoy and explore our beautiful countryside.
“I am very pleased that we were able to agree this with the support of the Independent councillors on the council and I look forward to working with my ward colleague Cllr McDade as we get the ranger service established and operating in Highland Perthshire as quickly as possible.”
He added:“The ranger service funding is initially for two years but I very much hope that it can become a permanent resource which the council can call upon in our area.
“Everyone will recall the significant challenges and, quite frankly, horrendous behaviour of some of our visitors last summer. We cannot allow that to happen again and this significant move will be key to addressing these problems this year.”
Mid Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser has also welcomed the move.
He said:“This is really good news for Highland Perthshire and other rural locations such as Clunie Loch as it will help tackle the scourge of‘dirty camping’.
“I very much welcome this move by the council as this funding will provide a valuable service and one that will hopefully allay concerns raised by residents in Perth and Kinross who have been shocked by the behaviour of some people involved in the likes of dirty camping and leaving litter.”