PLANS to create 300 camping spots at one of Scotland's most popular beauty spots have been given the go-ahead.
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority has formerly approved a new Camping Development Strategy to support new byelaws which will ban wild camping and restrict overnight visitors to designated campsites.
The scheme is being brought in amid concerns over the impact unrestricted camping has had, such as the amount of rubbish - including abandoned tents, beer cans and human waste - which has been strewn around the shores of the loch by overnight campers.
However, opponents of the plans, including the celebrated outdoor writer and broadcaster Cameron McNeish, said there was a danger responsible visitors to the park would be penalised as well.
Visitors will be now be ordered to stay in three new ‘camping management zones’ after Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority deemed that roadside campsites and the problems associated with antisocial campers were damaging the environment.
The new rules ban wild camping in areas on the west side of Loch Lomond; north Loch Long; strips around Loch Ard and Loch Venachar; and the road side of Loch Lubnaig, Loch Earn and Loch Voil.
Gordon Watson, Chief Executive of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority said: “We are delighted the Your Park Camping Development Strategy has been approved by the National Park Board.
"The programme of investment outlined in the Strategy is vital to the Your Park project, which aims to protect our fragile, beautiful lochshores and improve the experience of people camping, visiting and living in the National Park.
"It also marks the implementation of investment in providing additional, basic camping facilities which will improve the camping experience in each of the new Camping Management Zones.”
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