STIRLING Council has urged people to abide by coronavirus restrictions and stay local as a popular destination in the heart of the Trossachs saw a surge of visitors early this morning.

The car park at Ben A’an was close to capacity at 9.30am, prompting the council to plead with people to stay close to home.

About an hour later, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs announced further locations had been hit by a surge in visitors. 

Arrochar, Ben Ledi, Ben Venue, Inveruglas and Loch Lubnaig car parks all have very few, or no spaces left, they said.

Yesterday Scotland’s “stay at home” rule was lifted and changed to “stay local”. People living in mainland Scotland should not leave their local authority area except for essential purposes.

READ MORE: 'Stay at Home' order lifted from today — here's what it means

If people do leave their local authority boundary for non-essential reasons, they risk facing a fixed penalty from Police Scotland.

The travel restrictions stopping Scots from travelling across local boundaries are not expected to be lifted until the end of April.

Scotland’s national park, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, is preparing for a surge in visitors when domestic travel rules are expected to be removed on April 26. This will include increasing the numbers of toilets available and boosting car parking capacity.

Last summer there were reports of a “tidal wave” of litter being left by day-trippers while residents complained of tourists urinating in public places.

READ MORE: Loch Lomond increases toilets and parking capacity ahead of post-lockdown surge

As car parks were shut, locals complained of dangerous roadside parking and tailbacks.

This weekend the park’s seasonal rangers are on duty, welcoming visitors and helping them to enjoy a responsible time in the area.

Yesterday police in the area called on Scots to stay close to home. Chief Inspector Wylie, Area Commander for West Dunbartonshire Police, said: "Whilst sunshine & holiday weekends make it tempting to visit the beautiful countryside, people should not travel outside their own local authority area.”

This morning, Stirling Council posted an update to their official Twitter account. “The car park at Ben A'an has been filling up quickly this morning and is now close to capacity.

“Please, consider making alternative plans to avoid crowded places and #StayLocal.”

There were also reports of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs car parks filling up yesterday as much of Scotland welcomed the easing of restrictions and sunny skies.

READ MORE: Scottish beauty spot car parks fill with tourists as lockdown rules ease

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs’ Balmaha car park, from which people walk to the popular Conic Hill viewpoint, was reportedly full, with the overflow car park along the road also being “busy”.

Rowardennan, the car park from which people normally begin the climb up Ben Lomond, was listed as “full” since at least 9.30am.

The Milarrochy Bay car park, which sits between the two full sites, was also marked as “busy” on the National Park website.