A temporary car park has been set up near a popular hill walking site in Highland Perthshire.
Following months of the narrow road in the approach to Schiehallion being beset by verge-side parking, a place for cars has been made available within the forest which can hold around 60 vehicles.
A clearway was imposed at Schiehallion by Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) to make it illegal to park between signs designed to deter parking along the roadside and £60 fixed penalty notices have become a routine measure for those who disobey.
The new parking facility was recently built by Forest and Land Scotland in close cooperation with the PKC Visitor Management Group.
These car parks are now manned at peak times, 8am-2pm during the weekends, by forestry rangers and stewards.
PKC’s visitor rangers also assist when needed.
If the car park is full, drivers are advised of the clearway and not to park there.
Highland ward Conservative councillor John Duff commented: “I very much welcome the work undertaken by Forest and Land Scotland to provide additional parking at Schiehallion.
“This certainly seems to have alleviated much of the problem there although, at very busy times, the car park can be full.
“In such cases, drivers are warned not to park within the clearway and are given advice on other potential spots to park or other local walks to try.”
Areas like Loch Tummel, Loch Rannoch and Invervar in Glenlyon have been under great pressure from visitors and Cllr Duff pointed to efforts to bring peace between residents and walkers.
“The council’s Visitor Management Group has been working with local landowners on additional facilities in our rural beauty spots such as extra car parking to reduce blockages on our narrow country roads, additional toilets, bins and litter uplifts,” he explained to the Perthshire Advertiser.
“Our Visitor Rangers, together with our other partners, have been working very hard to accommodate visitors to our area and encourage responsible behaviour.
“Many of our tourist spots are still going to be busy this summer so I encourage visitors to prepare alternative plans should their chosen spot be congested.
“That way, we can ensure our country roads remain fully open for the passage of emergency, agricultural and other large vehicles such as bin lorries.”
