Highland Perthshire estate forced to warn campers to stay away

Lockdown safety message reiterated after visitor arrives looking for bothy

Bosses at a Perthshire estate have warned campers to stay away after a man arrived over the weekend looking for a bothy.

Atholl Estates said the traveller turned up unannounced on Saturday evening looking to camp despite the land being closed due to lockdown.

Atholl Estates said: “We didn’t think that this needed saying, but please don’t come wild camping or to stay in a bothy on Atholl Estates at this time.

“All of the bothies, including Mountain Bothies Association, are closed right now.”

Explaining the reason for the alert, they said: “One of our staff had a knock on the door late on Saturday night from a young man looking for one of the bothies.

“Hopefully this was a one-off, but we did feel that we needed to give this reminder.”

The Courier also understands wild campers have been spotted at Loch Tummel since the lockdown was implemented.

Mike Williamson, SNP councillor for Highland Perthshire, reiterated that the message from the Scottish Government was still to stay at home.

Mr Williamson said: “Despite the easing of the restrictions in England, the guidance from the Scottish Government is quite clear – we should be staying at home and only going out for essential work, food, health reasons.

“People can go out for exercise twice a day.”

The warning from Atholl Estates comes as Mountaineering Scotland and Police Scotland work on a report on how to safely return to the hills and mountains.

Outdoor organisations have asked people to “hold the line” and avoid travel as they discuss plans to deliver a phased return to the hills and mountains.

Stuart Younie, chief executive of Mountaineering Scotland, said: “We want to see an immediate return to hill walking, climbing and other outdoor activities as lockdown starts to ease, and have been encouraged by the way the outdoor sector in Scotland is working together to make this happen in a safe and responsible way.”

Hopefully this was a one-off, but we did feel that we needed to give this reminder. ATHOLL ESTATES