Canoe believe it? Hundreds of day-trippers head over the Border to ‘lockdown’ Scotland
WHAT a difference a few days make when it comes to a country that is divided by lockdown.
There was hardly a single domestic vehicle heading north over the Border on Tuesday. But by Friday – just three days after Boris Johnson relaxed restrictions in England – there were scores on the road.
Despite only essential travel being permitted in Scotland, a steady stream of tourist traffic was seen passing by the Welcome to Scotland sign, near Gretna Green, Dumfriesshire, throughout the weekend.
Among the vehicles were caravans and campervans, while others had loaded bicycles – and even a kayak.
The movement on Scotland’s roads was in stark contrast to scenes earlier last week. Then, the road was used almost exclusively by industrial lorries, vans, other delivery vehicles, and emergency services transport. A spokesman for Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team yesterday pleaded with visitors to stay away – and warned that police were using automatic number plate recognition to make sure motorists abided by the rules.
Team leader Andy Nelson said: ‘Police Scotland are patrolling roads to address illegal travel, especially cars parked in laybys used to access the hills. Please do not visit Glencoe or other mountain areas.’