Police in Scotland will be using roads legislation to clamp down on caravans and motorhomes camping in lochshore laybys for long periods in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Caravan and motorhome drivers will still be permitted to stop and rest in laybys (including overnight for one night if necessary), but encampment on a road or layby is an offence under road traffic legislation and Police Scotland will be aiming to stop irresponsible camping accordingly. Camping permit areas for tents adjacent to some lochshore laybys are unaffected.

Gordon Watson, Chief Executive of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: “We support the contribution from Police Scotland on how inappropriate encampments in some lochshore laybys will be addressed to ensure these locations are accessible for more people to enjoy.”

The collaboration with the police on this issue aims to further support a series of seasonal byelaws introduced on 1 March that created ‘campsite management zones’ in roughly four per cent of the National Park to manage wild camping more sustainably.

Online surveys about the byelaws since their introduction have received generally favourable response with 85 per cent of respondents saying they would recommend staying in one of the new permit areas and 92 per cent finding it easy to buy a permit.
Gordon Watson added: “It is early days, but overall there has been a very positive reaction from visitors and we are already seeing a welcome difference in the areas we are trying to protect, with less abandoned campsites and irresponsible fire-lighting.
“We’ve said all along that we would do this and the changes we are making demonstrate our commitment to listening and addressing issues where we can.”

The byelaws have no effect on visitors to Luss or Milarrochy Bay Club Sites or Cashel Camping in the Forest site.

Further information on the byelaws including detailed maps of ‘camping management zones’ can be found here.