HIGHLAND Perthshire residents are speaking out about their weekend of “chaos” as tourists continued to ignore parking and camping restrictions in the scenic area.
Locals documented people violating no overnight parking and camping restrictions at Dalerb, while dozens of cars were photographed parked along street and grass verges around Loch Tay on Saturday.
Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart has hit out at the scenes, warning “this can’t go on” for rural communities.
It’s been a tough weekend for communities right across Highland Perthshire. This can’t go on. https://t.co/xOlig6VrrC
— Pete Wishart (@PeteWishart) August 10, 2020
Resident Donald Meldrum, who took photos of cars yesterday parked in restricted areas at 6.30am, told The Courier: “I’m sympathetic to people wanting to come and enjoy our beautiful country but it’s the mess they leave that gets me.
“Saturday (was) chaos.”
Other worried locals complained of 170 vehicles parked up along Foss Road on Saturday – and posted images of tents set up in a field with a sign warning “no camping” due to livestock.
The latest flouting comes a week after drivers were photographed abandoning their vehicles in front of no-parking signs at Schiehallion.
Highland Perthshire SNP councillor Mike Williamson has called for a “long-term” solution to the issues.
He told the newspaper: “It is absolutely clear that the current situation is not acceptable.
“To that end, I will continue to advocate for common sense solutions that balance the rights of people to come and enjoy Perthshire with the rights of local residents to live their lives free from fear and disturbance.”
READ MORE: Loch Lomond and Trossachs facing 'tidal wave' of litter
Wishart added: “We are seeing significant problems at places like Loch Rannoch, Loch Tummel and Clunie Loch.
“Issues include abandoned cars, pollution caused by incorrect disposal of human waste and people choosing to just abandon camping equipment rather than bother to take it home with them.
“There is no silver bullet to resolve this issue, but I am quietly confident that they work we have started in coordinating a multi-agency approach will have a significant impact.”
He went on: “It’s been a tough weekend for communities right across Highland Perthshire. This can’t go on.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel