Support for tent zones

National Park chief has his say

Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park management say the response to the new camping permit system introduced there last year has been‘overwhelmingly positive’.

It follows comments by walkers rights group Ramblers Scotland that the Camping Management Zones were ‘discouraging campers.’

The zones system operated for the first time between March and September last year.

They were introduced in a bid to stop litter and antisocial behaviour – and the details of 828 people were taken during that time and warnings issued for alleged contravention of camping byelaws.

National Park chief executive Gordon Watson this week pointed to more than 16,000 people camping within permit areas or lowcost campsites during the 2017 season.

He said: “People from all over the UK and the world camped within the new zones last year and the feedback we got was overwhelmingly positive, with 87 per cent saying they would recommend the permit areas to others.

“The seasonal byelaws were introduced because the sheer number of visitors to some of our most easily accessible lochshore areas – and the antisocial behaviour of some campers going back many years, has a major impact on the environment, our communities and the experience of other campers and visitors to these beautiful areas.

“We created permit areas – and the new low-cost campsite at Loch Chon – to manage these issues whilst still providing places for people to camp at these popular locations.”

Mr Watson said the park were encouraged by ‘the positive feedback’ from visitor surveys and the experience of Rangers talking to campers on the ground.

Ramblers Scotland had pointed to a 15 per cent occupancy rate across March to September 2017 and the criminalisation of responsible campers.

But Mr Watson said the park were encouraged by feedback from visitor surveys and the experience of Rangers talking to campers on the ground.

He added: “The approach of our Ranger Service is always engagement and education first, with enforcement action only being taken as a last resort.

“That has worked well, with the overwhelming majority of campers choosing to adhere to the byelaws.

“Across the season only ten cases were reported to the Procurator Fiscal for refusing to comply.

“Of course it was the first season so we listened to feedback and made improvements throughout the season and that has continued as we approach the start of the second season next month.”

The ‘low cost’ campsite at Loch Chon attracted 2000 campers and a similar campsite at Loch Achray is expected to open for the peak summer season.

Mr Watson added: “We will continue to monitor things closely on the ground and listen to feedback to help us make improvements throughout the year and we look forward to welcoming many more people to enjoy camping in the National Park this season.”