IN response to David McCulloch (Letters, February 8) and other correspondence on the subject of the camping by-laws in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park (Letters, February 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8), Ramblers Scotland continues to be committed to upholding public rights of access, as long as these rights are used responsibly in accordance with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. As a charity we have a role in promoting responsible access, and do not condone irresponsible or criminal behaviour.
Informal camping is an activity covered by access rights and the vast majority of people who camp in the park and across Scotland are doing so responsibly. It’s a time-honoured, low-cost way of getting close to nature and engaging with the outdoors, especially for young people experiencing their first overnight trip or people on low incomes. Over the past decade the number of camping places within the national park has reduced significantly as holiday parks have upgraded to cater for caravans and camper vans, or converted to chalet accommodation. This lack of camping infrastructure has contributed to the current situation.
Rather than banning campers, the national park should be welcoming the fact that so many people – up to 800 on busy weekends – want to come and enjoy the bonnie banks, and making it easy for them to act responsibly. This can be done by providing campsites, toilets and litter bins and by increasing education and traffic management measures while working with the police to make sure existing legislation on litter and so on is enforced. The 300 “new” camping places announced by the Government will simply be space set aside within by-law zones where campers can buy permits but with no new facilities provided. While being totally inadequate to deal with demand, this permit system fundamentally undermines Scottish access legislation and has not been the subject of any consultation with outdoor recreation bodies.
Helen Todd,
Campaigns and policy manager,
Ramblers Scotland, Caledonia House, 1 Redheughs Rigg, South Gyle, Edinburgh.
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