Call for action as wild camping sparks alert

Wild campers who descended on Highland Perthshire have been moved by police. Residents reported the first wave of 2021 wild campers after a summer of chaos last year.

Dirty camping was a thorn in the side of communities in the area last summer, with hundreds travelling to lochs Tay, Tummel and Rannoch and the surrounding area from all over the country.

Council teams, police, firefighters and community groups tried to manage the situation, but roads were regularly blocked by visitors every weekend and there were complaints of rubbish, fires left raging and wildlife put at risk.

At the weekend campers were reported to police, having set up their tents in the Foss area of Pitlochry.

Despite the lockdown, no fines were issued.

Now, locals are calling for an early clampdown before the issue spirals out of control for another year.

A police spokesperson said: “Around 8.10pm on Friday February 26 2021 we received a report of a small group of people wild camping in the area of Foss Road, Pitlochry.

“Officers attended and the group dispersed. No further action was required.

“Our approach throughout the pandemic has been to engage with the public, explain the legislation and guidance and encourage compliance, but we will not hesitate to continue to use our enforcement powers as a last resort.”

The early visitors have sparked calls for concerted action to prevent the same problems reoccurring this season.

Pitlochry and Moulin Community Council chairman Jim Laurenson says plans to help limit the damage caused by dirty camping this summer remain at an early stage.

He said: “I know it has been proposed to bring in volunteer supervisors for the area. I’m not sure how far along that process is.

“We’ve got a community council meeting on Monday and we might get an update then.

“Last year big issue.”

Politicians are also concerned this is in breach of the “stay at home” guidance issued by the Scottish Government.

Perth and North Perthshire SNP MP Pete Wishart said: “It is clearly disappointing to hear that police have already been called out to speak to people camping in Highland Perthshire, given that nobody should currently be spending an evening away from home unless it is essential. it was a very

“I sincerely hope this is not a taste of what is to come this year and that we can effectively communicate with people that when travel is allowed, they should only do so when following all the rules under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.”

Highland Perthshire councillor Mike Williamson added: “I have said from the very beginning that we need a joined-up approach to this, as you have to balance the ability for people to come and enjoy our wonderful countryside with the expectation of locals that this will be done in a responsible and sensitive manner.”

A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said nobody should be camping as the area is still in lockdown.

“Perth and Kinross Council is working in partnership with Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and

Rescue and other agencies on a visitor management working group to manage the 2021 season,” it said.

“Its work will focus on three areas: Engagement, enforcement and infrastructure.

“As part of this we will be creating new signage and information posters to provide advice to visitors and residents alike.

“Additionally, we are making parking improvements to alleviate congestion and providing better bin provision to reduce the impact of litter. We have also secured more than £300,000 of funding from the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund to improve facilities at the Loch Leven Heritage Trail.”

Residents can contact the group via email on visitormanagementgroup@pkc.gov.uk with concerns or suggestions.

OUTDOORS: There are concerns that problems caused by earlier waves of irresponsible wild campers may be repeated. Pictures by William Shand.