Drink prevented the expulsion of rowdy campers

PERTHSHIRE: Police respond to reports of anti-social behaviour at beauty spot

Wild campers who had been ordered by police to leave a Perthshire beauty spot were allowed to stay overnight, after they told officers they had already started drinking.

Police were called to Clunie Loch, near Blairgowrie, amid fears that scores of visitors were starting fires, damaging the site and blocking access to emergency vehicles.

Wild campers are generally accepted at the remote site, but there are strict rules about overnight parking and campfires. Police stepped up patrols earlier this summer after an estate worker was allegedly stabbed when he confronted a group of visitors.

Officers were called back at the weekend after residents raised concerns about overcrowding and congested roads.

Locals reported about 20 tents along the east side of the water.

It is understood the weekend visitors were generally well-behaved and tidied up after themselves on Sunday.

But there remain concerns about roads being blocked by rows of cars.

Campers on a private part of the site were told to move by police on Saturday, but were allowed to stay until they had sobered up on Sunday. Officers returned the next day to check if they had gone.

Local councillor Grant Laing, who is helping set up a multi-agency response to tackle anti-social problems and look after the beauty spot, said: “On the one hand, we don’t want to completely discourage wild campers but on the other hand we have to make sure that everyone is playing by the rules.

“We will be back out this week to look at what we can do in terms of extra signage.

“There are concerns about rows of cars blocking the roads for emergency vehicles. They are just narrow roads, so it doesn’t take much to cause a problem.”

Boulders and rocks have been placed at several lay-bys on roads leading up to the loch, to discourage parking.

A police spokeswoman said: “We are aware of issues associated with wild camping in Perthshire and we are working with partner agencies to tackle these.”

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There are concerns about rows of cars blocking the roads for emergency vehicles

Concerns have been raised about roads being blocked at Clunie Loch, near Blairgowrie.