Camping restrictions kick in for park’s new summer season

A controversial ban on camping without a permit in areas of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is to come in force again next month.

A number of measures are to be brought in to protect the park environment from antisocial behaviour.

The plans were heavily criticised by hillwalkers during a consultation last year, drawing more than 300 responses.

The seasonal bylaws cover certain parts of the park from March to September.

The laws create camping management zones, covering some of the most popular parts of the park, including the section of the West Highland Way along the east shore of Loch Lomond.

In the management zones, campers need to pitch in a designated camping permit area or a campsite.

Last year there was much criticism of the lack of permitted camping sites, their unsuitability for camping, and the lack of facilities, said Mountaineering Scotland.

However, Gordon Watson, chief executive of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, said: “We’re pleased with how things went last summer.

“The feedback we received through our online surveys and what the rangers experienced from speaking to people face to face was overall very positive.

“But we know that the camping bylaws are still relatively new so it’s important that we continue to make people aware of how they work and encourage them to plan ahead.

“We have continued to gather feedback from a broad range of people over the winter, including visitors, communities and partner organisations and are using that to inform how things work for 2018.”

He said there would be new pitch surfaces, additional signage in place, better water facilities, and connectivity for online bookings at Loch Chon campsite.

Work is also under way to build another new low cost campsite at Loch Achray in time for the peak summer season.