Barrier to be installed at beauty spot to deter 'dirty campers'

A barrier will be installed at a Loch Leven car park this winter to combat a growing problem with antisocial dirty campers who are deterring locals from visiting in the summer.

The Loch Leven beauty spot has been described as being “like the ‘wild west’” with nature reserve staff being verbally abused, threatened and campers leaving behind “widespread” human waste and litter.

NatureScot’s planning application to install the barrier and gate at Burleigh Sands car park – following “unprecedented” levels of use – was unanimously approved by Perth and Kinross councillors at a meeting earlier this month.

Scotland’s nature agency NatureScot said it was imposing the measure due to “unsustainable levels of campervan and car camping” at the woodland car park, which has space for 30 cars. Earlier this year, Kinross-shire councillor Willie Robertson said he had been told it was “like the ‘wild west’”.

Perth and Kinross Council’s Planning and Placemaking Committee approved the plans – submitted to the local authority by Savills on behalf of NatureScot – at a meeting on Wednesday, October 8.

The report of handling – put before the committee – said: “Most of the camping is beyond the accepted definition of wild camping – large tents and marquees, staying multiple nights and arriving by vehicles.

“Overnight stays by campervans have also increased in 2024, over 800 motorhomes were recorded using the car park. There are high levels of use most nights during the summer months (not just at weekends) occupying most of the car park. Many of the motorhomes stay multiple nights and many have no on-board toilet facilities.”

Among the issues raised were: “widespread” human waste, litter, limited space for other car park users and aggressive behaviour towards NatureScot staff.

In order to tackle the problem, NatureScot proposed installing a bright yellow 2.1m high barrier and six-metre long hinged gate across the car park’s entrance.

Emergency services, PKC refuse collectors and services will have access to a code to open the barriers.

Conservative councillor Ian James moved the application for approval.

He said: “I think this is a good idea by NatureScot. It is a rising problem with dirty camping and this will help their cause.”

It was seconded by SNP councillor Ken Harvey. While it was unanimously approved by the committee, calls were made for further action to both tackle the dirty camping issue and ensure walkers still have the right to roam.

Bailie Mike Williamson said: “I fear this should be part of a wider conversation we have about how we manage tourism across Perth and Kinross more generally.

“I think, too often, people are dealing with issues such as this in isolation or in silos. I believe there needs to be a much wider conversation about some of the negative impacts of tourism. My fear is we could lose our right to roam unless it’s dealt with or managed more properly.”

Kinross-shire ward councillor Dave Cuthbert saw it as “being a bit of a sledgehammer to crack a nut”.

The Independent councillor added: “In principle, the car park is very well used. The problem is more to do with the ‘wild’ camping beside the loch.

“NatureScot are trying to prevent that happening but I’m a bit concerned it will impact on usage of the car park by people just coming to walk.

“In terms of legislation, I think the land access rules need to be looked at in terms of how they can be enforced because at the moment they’re a bit too loose and there isn’t power for the authorities to move people on or police it properly.”

This week NatureScot told the Local Democracy Reporting Service there are currently no plans to open and close the gate at set times but, should it close, members of the public can still access Burleigh Sands via footpaths.

A NatureScot spokesperson said: “Loch Leven National Nature Reserve (NNR) is first and foremost a nature reserve and our emphasis is on protecting wildlife while welcoming responsible visitor access.

“Unfortunately, in recent years there have been unsustainable levels of campervan and car camping at the Burleigh Sands car park, with associated issues including toileting, litter, fires and damage to vegetation. This has negatively impacted the reserve, its wildlife, and other visitors’ enjoyment, with local residents telling us they are now less keen to visit during busy summer months.

“We have also faced concerning incidents involving staff safety, including verbal abuse and threatening behaviour towards our team.

“To cope with these ongoing issues, we will be implementing improvements to the Burleigh car park over the winter, including installing a height barrier and gate. There are currently no plans to open and close the gate at set times – we will keep gate closure as an option to manage excessive visitor numbers or antisocial behaviour.

“In the event of any gate closure, Loch Leven NNR can still be accessed through eight other gateways around the loch, and access through Burleigh will remain possible via the network of public footpaths.”