MORE than 20 people have been charged after campers trashed parts of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
After the first weekend in which travel restrictions were lifted, park officials found rubbish, broken glass and camping equipment left behind.
At one site, 19 bags of litter were collected, while at another a tree was so badly damaged that it had to be felled.
A total of 21 people have been charged with breaches of by-laws.
Scottish Government guidance states that people should not be camping in tents, where they would have to rely on shared facilities, or in the wild, since this is not booked in advance so numbers cannot be managed.
Gordon Watson, chief executive of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, said: “It’s devastating to see the images of the of litter and damage caused by people camping over the weekend. Not only is this irresponsible behaviour and environmental damage a blatant breach of the by-laws, it is also happening at a time when the national guidance is that people shouldn’t be going camping at all.”
He added: “While I can understand people’s desire to get out and enjoy the outdoors after such a long time being in lockdown I cannot understand why anyone would think it’s ok to destroy the place they’ve visited in this way. We cannot replace nature easily, or at the speed we are seeing it destroyed.”
The provisional date for reopening of National Park campsites and permit areas is July 17, subject to the Scottish Government confirming their proposed date for all tourism accommodation reopening from July 15.
Police Scotland’s Chief Inspector Gill Marshall commented: "These offences related to the setting up of unofficial camps, setting fires, and causing damage to the environment, including fire damage to trees which occurred across South Loch Earn, Loch Venachar and the Loch Ard area.
"There were also unacceptable levels of littering."
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