Grey skies put off unruly Trossachs campers

Columnist

Tuesday 10 April 2012

Grey skies and rain showers deterred campers from pitching tents on the islands of Loch Lomond over the Easter weekend, proving that the weather is the most effective deterrent to anti-social behaviour at the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

ON PATROL: National Park police officer Paul Barr and ranger team leader David Cameron are combating anti-social behaviour on for Loch Lomond

Custom byline text:

Jennifer Cunningham

Yesterday morning a tour round the most popular islands, which are also protected areas for capercaillie, osprey, otter and oak woodland: Inchmoan, Inchtavannach, Inchconnachan, Inchcruin and Inchcailloch, revealed not a single camper or even any picnickers.

It comes as a three-month review of byelaws in the park is under way, which includes proposals to ban camping on the islands during the summer in an attempt to cut down on anti-social behaviour caused by 'wild' camping.The only exceptions would be for designated areas where toilets and fire pits would be provided.Island habitats have been damaged by litter left behind by campers and there have also been problems with drunkenness and vandalism and trees being cut down by people bringing their own chainsaws.It was a complete contrast to last Easter, said David Cameron of the Ranger service, pointing to burned tree stumps on Inchmoan, a special protected area for capercaillie, where two of the seasonal rangers have a haul of litter despite the quiet weekend. "If the weather is good over the May weekend and Glasgow Fair, there can easily be 160 boats moored around these islands and this year we will also have the Queen's Jubilee weekend in June," Mr Cameron said."The problems are damage to the environment from litter and people who bring chainsaws to cut down trees for fires. Dogs roaming off leads are a real problem where there are nesting birds."The national park's police officer, Paul Barr, seconded from the Central Scotland force, said many of the "T-in-the-Park generation" of campers treat the islands as they would a festival site. "People can buy tents so cheaply now that they just abandon them, but no-one's going to come round and tidy up after them here," he said.The proposals will be controversial as it will restrict access to the natural environment and in areas where there has been a long tradition of wild camping. This follows a similar set of byelaws on the east side of the loch, where camping has been restricted to official sites to overcome serious problems largely fuelled by alcohol, including a car being set on fire."It is a question of what is wild camping. This is not people setting off into the wild with a tent, it's people camping beside their car or boat," said Mr Cameron.Mr Barr co-ordinates the response to anti-social behaviour and wildlife crime across the three forces in the park's area and the ranger service. He once came across a group camping who had brought their own generator, TV and Playstation and, although they had fishing rods, were playing a fishing video game at the side of a loch. The consultation – which has two other options of no restrictions on access but ranger patrols to improve behaviour, as well as the provision of facilities on some islands and a public education campaign – closes on June 16. It will divide opinion.Visitor Paul Malone, from Glasgow, said: "Unfortunately, the few spoil it for the many. "Responsible people should be allowed to camp where they want and irresponsible people shouldn't."In June, byelaws were brought in on the eastern side of the loch which allowed £500 fines for wild camping or drinking alcohol in a 10-mile stretch between Drymen and Rowardennan.

Commenting & Moderation

We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.

Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.

Grey skies put off unruly Trossachs campers

Commenting & Moderation

MOST READ

SPONSORED LINKS

MOST COMMENTED