A new bylaw that prevents camping around the shores of Loch Lomond should be considered for Highland Perthshire, according to a senior local politician.
Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser believes the move would protect the scenery around lochs Tay, Rannoch and Tummel from an inconsiderate minority.
His call follows Scottish Government confirmation that the East Loch Lomond Camping Bylaw will come into effect on June 1, preventing informal camping.
Anyone convicted of camping outside designated sites between March and October could face fines of up to £500.
Perth and Kinross Council does not believe the scale of the problem locally merits such a response.
However, Mr Fraser, who has held a public meeting regarding the problems of informal camping by lochs Rannoch and Tummel, believes it would be desirable to have a similar scheme in Highland Perthshire.
He said, “At Loch Lomond, the rangers have to deal with remains of tents, burned-down trees, abandoned campfires and countless bags of rubbish on a weekly basis.
“We need to see a similar bylaw considered for Highland Perthshire as irresponsible camping also affects our local communities and damages our local environment.
“Lochs Tay, Earn, Rannoch and Tummel have the same issues as Loch Lomond and Perth and Kinross Council must investigate this issue as a matter of urgency.”
A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council said the local authority was taking alternative steps to tackle the problem.
He said, “A working group made up of council, Tayside Police, landowners, and community representatives regularly meets to discuss actions that can be taken to ensure that those camping around our loch shores…do not engage in illegal activities and anti-social behaviour which can spoil the areas for other people.
“These actions will be taken forward this summer.
“The problems caused by irresponsible camping in Highland Perthshire are not on the same scale as at Loch Lomond, and so we are not looking at introducing any bylaws at this time.”
The East Loch Lomond bylaw will be reviewed following its third year of implementation.