Visitors to the Stirling area are being urged to respect the region and its residents as coronavirus travel restrictions are lifted today (Friday).
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon earlier this week announced that from today Scots are to be allowed to travel to any part of the country for the purposes of outdoor socialising, recreation, and informal exercise, as the ‘stay local’ advice was lifted.
Additionally, rules for meeting people outdoors will be further relaxed from Friday. Previously a maximum of four adults from two households can meet outdoors, but from today onwards that will change to six adults, from up to six households.
Ahead of an anticipated influx of visitors to beauty spots across the area, community figures have spoken out and urged those who visit the area to adhere to Covid guidelines.
Gordon Watson, Chief Executive of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: “The easing of travel restrictions this week means that people from other areas in Scotland can now travel to the National Park for day trips and experience the fantastic outdoor opportunities it offers. The health and wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature are well documented and have provided a real boost for people during such a tough year so we look forward to supporting that further as restrictions ease.
“We know from last summer that after a long time staying home, lots of people will want to travel again to the National Park and we have made extensive preparations to welcome them, including additional staff on the ground, extra toilets and more car parking spaces.
“That said, things are still not back to normal so please bear this in mind if you are planning a visit. We can only welcome day visitors at the moment so our campsites and camping permit areas won’t reopen until the next phase of restrictions easing on Monday, April 26. Many cafes, restaurants and accommodation providers also remain closed until April 26, although some take away outlets will be open.
“Anyone planning a day trip to the National Park in the coming weeks should therefore plan ahead to make their visit as safe and enjoyable as possible.
“We expect the area to be very busy so it’s a good idea to check our social media or website for live information on car parking availability and details about opening times for toilets and visitor facilities. If car parks are full please consider an alternative location as irresponsible parking on rural road verges causes congestion and danger to others.”
Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and Strathyre Community Council chairman David Johnston welcomed the move but has urged caution. He said: “Our communities welcome the relaxation of the Covid travel restrictions and look forward to the hospitality and tourist businesses being open again for locals and visitors in due course. We live in a beautiful part of the country and everyone should be able to enjoy the recreational benefits it provides.
“We simply ask that all visitors treat our countryside and our communities who look after it with due respect and leave behind no trace of their visit. Unfortunately our recent experience is that inappropriate parking, litter and waste left behind is likely to be the result of the behaviour of some visitors and this can mar the experience for all.
“As we move out of the Covid restrictions let’s all do it with respect and responsibility.”
Trossachs and Teith Tory councillor Martin Earl said: “I can understand why people will want to take advantage of the restrictions easing a little earlier than previously laid out. However, we do need to be very clear that this is for day trips only, camping is not being catered for or encouraged. I know there has been a lot of work to prepare for the increased numbers. Everyone visiting is expected to behave responsibly and that means don’t litter, don’t park where you should not and don’t create problems for everyone trying to live , work in and manage these lovely locations.”
Trossachs and Teith SNP councillor Evelyn Tweed has called for residents to continue to adhere to guidance to suppress the virus. She said: “Scotland has made great progress in reducing infection rates over the last few months, and the announcement of these changes is affirmation of those efforts. The past year has been tough, especially on our young people. I urge Stirling residents to continue adhering to the appropriate physical and social distancing guidelines, regularly wash their hands, and stick to the Scottish Government guidance restricting home visits, for the time being.
“Better times are in sight; it’s really important we take things cautiously one step at a time to prevent a resurgence in infections. So too must we take care to travel responsibly, and remain mindful of rural communities and our shared environment when visiting beauty hotspots.”
As residents and businesses in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs area are gearing up to welcome visitors back with new measures in place aimed at helping the area cope more effectively with the anticipated influx of visitors.
Click here for more news and sport from the Stirling area.
However, supporters of the National Park hope people heed advice and behave responsibly, given ongoing issues such as indiscriminate parking and littering.
James Fraser, chair of local charity Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, said the area was looking forward to welcoming visitors back and signs and trails had been prepared for the change.
However, he added: “We are anxious to ensure visitors act responsibly by following the guidance issued by public agencies on topics such as parking, littering and toileting to avoid the chaos that occurred when lockdown restrictions were eased last year.
“Thankfully all the public toilets and car parks are open this time around and steps have been taken by the public agencies to extend opening hours and supplement provision at key sites around Loch Lomond with additional temporary toilets. This should help but visitors need to be aware that most tourism business are still closed and they should come prepared simply to enjoy the outdoors in safe and responsible ways.
“One of the most significant challenges is coping with the large number of visitors arriving by car and the current infrastructure cannot cope.
“Disappointingly, little in the way of additional car parking provision is in place at this stage although the Steamship Trust at Loch Katrine and Forestry and Land Scotland have both recently applied for planning consent for much need car park extensions below Ben A’an and at Trossachs and Stronachlachar Piers.”
Meanwhile, the Friends have progressed phase one of a refresh of the Trossachs Trail with signs around the 40 mile trail receiving a makeover in the past couple of weeks to assist visitors to find their way around the area.
This has been augmented with the creation of a new website www.trossachstrail.co.uk packed with useful information on walks, cycle routes and points of interest in the Trossachs.
New information panels have also been designed and will be erected at key locations around the Trail shortly to help visitors get the most out of their time in the area.
