Police have launched a new effort to prevent a minority among the country’s “wild campers” from spoiling the Perthshire countryside this year.
The rise in wild camping by visitors to Perthshire beauty spots has brought with it an increase in vandals who leave litter, scorch the ground with fires and barbecues and, in extreme cases, damage plants and leave human waste behind when they leave.
Picturesque havens around the Tummel, Rannoch and Tay lochs have been particularly affected, leading to a promised crackdown by Tayside Police.
Inspector Stewart Patience said, “At recent community surgeries local residents identified anti-social behaviour in the area during summer months as one of the policing priorities.
“This includes illegal camping as well as litter, fires and parking issues. We take all calls seriously and where there is any evidence of anti-social behaviour a firm line will be taken. Highland Perthshire is such a beautiful area and we want it to stay that way.
“Everyone should respect the natural wildlife and habitat, pick up any litter, and we hope education and persuasion from ourselves will convince wild campers to use authorised sites. Officers will be patrolling the area and anyone caught committing any offence will be dealt with.”
Councillor Bob Ellis, who chairs a partnership forum examining the issue, said, “Community representatives have been working with Perth and Kinross Council, the local access forum, Tayside Police and the Forestry Commission for a number of years in an effort to tackle wild camping issues at Lochs Tummel and Rannoch.
“Local wardens from Loch Rannoch and Tummel Conservation Association have been speaking with campers to encourage responsible behaviour. All the partners feel there is a need to crack down on the few who spoil the appearance of these beautiful areas for everyone else, and so this new approach has been agreed with Tayside Police.
“If all campers clear up behind them and leave their camps litter-free and without fire-scorched ground, they are more than welcome to come to Perth and Kinross to enjoy our beautiful scenery.”
Communities, including owners and managers of land, are also urging responsible campers to join them in reporting any illegal or anti-social behaviour to police on 0300 111 2222.The Mountaineering Council of Scotland has produced its own wild camping guide. It can be downloaded at www.mcofs.org.uk/assets/pdfs/wildcamping.pdf