Council staff working at Loch Lomond beauty spots have reportedly been 'verbally and physically abused' amid visitors' frustration over parking difficulties.
Stirling Council have hit out at those responsible after workers were targeted at Ben A'an and Balmaha.
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Park had earlier warned a number of car parks were filling up as dozens flocked to the area, just a day after the Scottish Government's 'stay home' rule was replaced with 'stay local' as part of covid lockdown easing measures.
Stirling Council have pleaded with visitors for understanding amid an increase in visitors and said: "We've unfortunately had reports of verbal and physical abuse directed towards council staff working at the clearways at Ben A'an and at Balmaha.
"While there may be frustration for some regarding parking at some of our beauty spots as lockdown restrictions are being eased, we will not tolerate abuse of staff.
"Our teams are there to keep communities safe and do an important job. Please be considerate of those who are working hard to keep the public safe and #StayLocal."
Meanwhile, a Tweet from the Loch Lomond & Trossachs Park account also urged people to 'stay local'.
They said: "Really disappointing to hear this has been happening to Stirling Council staff just doing their jobs.
"Everyone wants to enjoy the outdoors but it’s important to do so responsibly, be respectful of others & to #staylocal."
Under the stay local requirement, which came into force on Easter Friday, the Scottish Government have stated non-essential travel between local authority areas is forbidden.
They advised: "People across Scotland can make non-essential journeys in their local authority area from Friday 2 April when a requirement to Stay Local will replace the Stay at Home rule.
"Restrictions on non-essential travel across local authority boundaries will remain in place.
"People must stay within their council area for non-essential shopping and should only travel to another area for essential shopping if there are no practical alternatives."
A number of different police forces, including Stirling police and West Dunbartonshire police, took to social media in advance of the Easter weekend to urge people to stay local.
