Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park plans to widely extend the current seasonal wild camping ban for East Loch Lomondside to much more of the National Park. The areas to be covered include most of the lochs in the Trossachs, the majority of the the west side of Loch Lomond as well as the north-east area of Loch Long. These proposals will be put the the National Park’s Board at a meeting next Monday (6 October) before a public consultation. However it is clear from the report that the Park Authority is very keen to get these new legally-enforceable powers as its preferred way of dealing with anti-social behaviour and litter caused by some wild campers.
Wild camping on the east side of Loch Lomond between Drymen and Rowardennan, during the summer months, is currently banned under a byelaw introduced in 2011. The ban was enforceable with a £500 fine and regular Police and ranger patrols were implemented as well as other measures such as an alcohol ban.
The National Park’s new report says that the experience in the camping ban area has resulted in significant reductions in antisocial behaviour reported to the police, as well as less litter and damage to the environment. Vandalism and reports of anti-social behaviour were down 81% in the regulated areas. The measures on east Loch Lomondside were complemented by a new semi-formal campsite at Sallochy as well as regular patrols by rangers and Police.
The proposed bylaws would make it an offence to camp outside authorised sites without a permit or to cause damage to the area or wildlife. There are some plans to provide some new facilities in these lochside areas, close to roads, which are popular with anglers, family groups as well as more traditional hikers and through-walkers. Some businesses, land owners and recreational users of the Park are reported as keen to see the ongoing problem of anti-social behaviour and littering dealt with.
Commenting on the proposals, Helen Todd, campaigns manager for Ramblers Scotland told the BBC, said she was shocked by how widespread the proposals were.
“I’ve talked to the park authority and we share the same desires for how to manage these places and I have a lot support for the work they’re doing,” she said. “But I really don’t buy the case that they need bylaws to bring these into effect.
“In terms of setting precedents, we’ve seen it spreading across the Park, and I’d imagine there are communities in other parts of Scotland where people will be thinking they need them too. Bit by bit this fantastic access legislation we have is being whittled away.”
Paul Webster, co-founder of Walkhighlands, commented that “We wouldn’t support such a draconian proposal. There must be a solution through extending the alcohol ban and better policing from both Police Scotland and local rangers. Extending the ban like this will serve to further push the problem elsewhere and pass it on to other local authorities. It could also send a message that enjoying the countryside of the National Park is really for the middle classes, and the less well off – even if they behave responsibly – are not welcome to enjoy staying here”.
Dave Morris, Chief Executive of Ramblers Scotland previously commented on the improvements gained on East Loch Lomondside, “They introduced the camping by-laws at the same time as introducing the alcohol prohibition. Now, the situation is much better but we don’t know whether it’s due to alcohol, which was obviously a major issue.
“It’s a fundamental part of the Land Reform Act, and a fundamental part of our tradition, to be able to camp in areas like Loch Lomond and other areas of Scotland without hindrance.”
The National Park will be undertaking a public consultation starting 13 October if the proposals are approved by the Board on Monday 6 October – we will report further on this process once the details are known. In the meantime details of the proposals can be seen in this report on the Park’s website.