REPRESENTATIVES of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park have written to the Scottish Government warning of their hygiene concerns as more people flout the five-mile travel limit.

Currently in Scotland, people are advised not to travel further than five miles away from their home for non-essential purposes, in efforts to slow the spread of Covid-19 – but local residents at the beauty spot say a growing number of people are now visiting the area.

With public toilets shut due to fears over coronavirus being spread on frequently touched surfaces, the Destination National Park Group and Friends of Loch Lomond have said visitors are going to the toilet on public beaches, in woodlands and residents’ gardens.

The groups also warn that in villages and towns where car parks have been kept shut, there is dangerous roadside parking and tailbacks. The representatives are also concerned over the scale of littering in the area.

They told the Scottish Government: “We would earnestly ask for your assistance in encouraging public sector bodies to start quietly re-opening their car park and toilet facilities to help ease the very real problems being encountered on the ground which are impacting adversely on the health and wellbeing of local residents and visitors.”

Earlier in the month, following easing of lockdown restrictions, the chair of Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs called for practical solutions to get public toilets open again.

James Fraser suggested installing well-maintained portable toilets at some popular locations – which would allow local authorities more time to upgrade their facilities in the months ahead.

Visit Scotland has recently been giving grants for rural tourism infrastructure, which will fund some toilet facilities in areas of high demand.