Scotland's landowners are welcoming controversial proposals to ban camping around the west side of Loch Lomond, and one leading local estate is calling for the loch's islands to be included as well.

The Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park Authority is proposing a new byelaw creating a camping-free zone, which would also lochs in the wider Trossachs area.

Landowners' organisation Scottish Land & Estates (SL&E) has welcomed the proposal as "pragamatic", while the 40,000 plus acre Luss Estates insists the islands also need the extra protection.

However Ramblers Scotland and the Mountaineering Council of Scotland have accused the park authority of trying to criminalise campers.

They have called on the Scottish Government to intervene in the row.

Wild camping was forbidden by a new byelaw on the east shore of Loch Lomond in 2010. In the first three years of its operation reports of vandalism and antisocial behaviour in the area were down by 81 per cent, according to the park authority.

Now it is wants the same for some other areas.

Luss Estates' chief executive Simon Miller agrees: "The impact of intense and irresponsible wild camping in the area, both on the local population and the environment is enormous. Groups opposing the national park's proposals are simply turning a blind eye to the hugely detrimental impact of irresponsible wild camping and associated anti-social behaviour. Residents are fed up with the junk, rubbish and human excrement that are left behind.

"The key issue however is that the islands of Loch Lomond are not included in this proposal. These are environmentally delicate habitats of great national importance and are amongst the most heavily designated and protected in Scotland, supposedly home to capercaillie, ospreys and otters, as well as ancient oak woodland."

He said the estate believed it was due to the "vast numbers" of wild campers that the capercaillie had been declared locally extinct. "However we continue to conserve the habitat in the hope that they will return to the islands one day."

He said the exclusion of Loch Lomond's islands was "extraordinary" as the islands on Lochs Chon, Ard, Earn, Achray and Lubnaig were included.

SL&E said it was important that the right balance was struck to maintain access for the responsible majority, but the damage that frequently caused to the area by irresponsible behaviour, also had to be acknowledged.

Anne Gray, Policy Officer (Environment) at SL&E, said dealing with the aftermath of weekend and summertime camping, included clearing up discarded tents, litter, human and animal waste on a significant scale.

"This places time and financial burdens on private landowners, managers and farmers, as well as on public services, in a way that was never the intention of Scotland's outdoor access legislation. They are also left powerless in terms of protecting trees and other wildlife which have suffered considerable damage over the years."

She said it was clear this type of camping was not 'responsible' and therefore outwith the rights of responsible access/right to roam afforded to the public in the land reform legislation.

When the consultation on the camping ban proposals closed last week the park authority had received more than 350 official responses . A spokeswoman said all would be considered. A recommendation would be made to the park board on the final proposals which would then be submitted to ministers.