ONE of Scotland’s largest outdoors groups says a new National Park crackdown on camping will “criminalise innocent travellers” and must be delayed.

The body that represents Scotland’s climbers and hillwalkers has demanded a rethink over the ban on camping without a permit in areas of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Mountaineering Scotland (MS), which has 13,000 members, warned that a lack of clarity on camping management zones could lead to the “criminalisation of people” who might believe they were doing no wrong.

The body earlier this year expressed its “profound disappointment” at the decision by Environment Minister Dr Aileen MacLeod to approve the introduction of additional camping management bylaws at lochside locations.

A number of measures are set to be brought in to protect the park environment from anti-social behaviour. Last year the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park’s board unanimously approved the clampdown.

The plans drew criticism from hillwalkers during a consultation, with more than 300 responses. Now, ahead of a key meeting to implement the detail of the ban, MS has expressed “serious concerns” over a lack of proper consultation over the “appalling proposals”.

The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Park Authority Board will meet on Monday to consider proposals for a permit system and related signage which will facilitate the introduction of restrictive camping bylaws in the national park.

David Gibson, CEO of MS, said: “The park authority is rushing through the introduction of a set of appalling proposals which present a confusing picture to intending campers. If the proposals are approved, the lack of on-the-ground clarity about camping management zones and provision could lead to the criminalisation of people who might believe they are camping or resting at night during a journey, which would otherwise be within their rights by complying with the provisions of the Land Reform (Scotland) Acts and Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

“The proposed permit scheme will also impose costs of £7 per night on people who would otherwise be able to enjoy free access to the outdoors and as such is socially divisive, at a time when the Scottish Government is encouraging more people to get active.

“We still maintain that The park authority is resorting to bylaws which are wholly unnecessary as they, with Police Scotland, already had the powers to act against the limited few who cause nuisance and damage.

“We therefore call on the park authority board to delay the introduction of the bylaws by 12 months to enable appropriate public consultation on the specific proposals for the permit scheme and signage.”

MS added that if served a notice by a park ranger, offenders could be committing a criminal offence which attracts a £500 fine.However similar measures were previously put in place at parts of east Loch Lomond, which were described as a “wide-ranging success”.

Bosses said parts of the park were becoming “severely degraded” by high volumes of campers, with some irresponsible visitors littering, starting fires, cutting down trees and abandoning caravans and campsites. Police Scotland, the Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage all responded positively during the previous consultation.