Further to the announcement by Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park that they intend to consider introducing bylaws to ban "informal camping" in several areas we thought it would be useful to have a discussion topic on the message board and hear your views on this issue. See weblink http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/visi...enu-id-611.html for details on the consultation and you can visit a BBC webpage http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/8510202.stm which quotes MSP Murdo Fraser calling for the ban to be taken further into other parts of Scotland, and Cameron McNeish's response. Please note that Scottishcamping also encourages campers to submit their views and opinions on the issue to the public consultation which is open till the 3rd of May 2010.

There’s not much doubt that irresponsible campers are causing significant damage to parts of our countryside. Loch Lomond is probably the worst hit, but the problem is also significant and growing around several other easily accessible lochs. Our son is a keen fisher and likes to spend the occasional weekend camping and fishing by a loch, but over the past few years many of his trips have been ruined by booze fuelled groups of ‘campers’ who not only ruin the experience of responsible campers but also ruin the environment.

As it stands Loch Lomond, some of the Trossach lochs and also some of the Perthshire lochs are in danger of being turned into rubbish tips within a few years and will become no-go areas for responsible campers.

How to address the problem?
Well, from the protection of the environment aspect, a total ban on camping with areas identified as ‘at risk’ would work. No camping = no damage. A cheap, easy and very effective solution.
But wait a minute, you, I, and the vast majority of campers care about the environment, treasure our right to roam in Scotland and adhere to the principle of ‘leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but memories’. So why should we, the majority be penalised in order to protect what we enjoy so much from an irresponsible minority?

Here’s a possible solution –
The creation of ‘controlled camping areas’. Where areas identified as being at risk due to irresponsible camping are designated as ‘controlled’. To camp there (my definition of camping in this context being defined as the creation or erection of a shelter, and/or staying between dusk and dawn) a permit must be obtained. Permits would be issued subject to conditions as are fishing permits.
Now the only problem I can see with the above suggestion is that it isn’t as cheap an option as a total ban, as it would require more policing.

Just a quick suggestion off the top of my head. There are no doubts plenty’ ifs and buts’. But from what I glean from the press and mass media, something has to be done and soon.

Thanks for your thoughts Dave.
Are there any other opinions or potential solutions out there to the problem, other than the proposed ban?

again its the minority spoiling it for the rest of us, last year me and my girlfriens set up camp on the shore at balmaha. a team of about 20 set up camp, boozing, screaming and generaly acting like bampots so we had to pack up and move further along. next morning they were gone but had left all their tents, chairs and their mess(bottles, wrapers etc). it was a hell of a mess. so i can see why the authorities have taken these steps and i reluctantly agree with it. shame for us honest campers though

camping permits?

I think it's inevitable that wild camping bans appear....so many people are ignorant, egoist and downright dirty! They'll camp anywhere as long as it's free with no consideration for the land and the nature....noise, rubbish...and don't forget the campfire which is left as...........! I'm Scottish, living in Belgium at the moment, and I do a camping trip each summer. I mostly use campsites but sometimes do a bit of wild camping or "half wild",where owners allow you to camp with a small financial contribution. Another problem for me is Motorhomers!!! I answer a lot of questions on a French messageboard about Scotland. Now, we always hear that Scots are mean.....the French are worse!!! A lot of them arrive in Scotland with their Motorhome, wholy intent on not paying to enter a camspite! And they give advice on this messageboard saying to empty their chemical toilets in public loos!!! Needless to say I spend a lot of time ranting and raving about this! (I notice that there are now a lot of notices on public loos now!).

The final report on the consultation exercise has now been published. You can access it here >

http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/imag...ort%2006_10.pdf