Politicians have united in urging people to stay at home after last weekend’s dramatic increase in visitors to rural areas.
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said on Saturday the amount of traffic on the A82 at Loch Lomond was 200% higher than the previous weekend.
And MSP Jackie Baillie says she has asked First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to reinforce guidelines which say people should not travel more than five miles for leisure and exercise.
Public toilets and car parks across Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park are still closed, but beauty spots such as Luss, Arrochar and Duck Bay saw a huge influx of visitors – some leaving their litter dumped on the ground.
And the A82 truck road has been closed twice in recent days beside the Falls of Falloch because of parked cars.
Mr Matheson said: ““We have only been able to ease some of the lockdown measures because the public have followed guidance closely up to this point, so I would urge people to continue to play their part.
“We have seen a significant rise in traffic this past weekend. At Loch Lomond, traffic levels were more than three times higher than the previous Saturday – and in the middle of the afternoon over four times higher. On our rail network, Balloch station saw an increase in passenger numbers.
“These volumes go beyond what would be expected to be generated by local residents, nor are they in keeping with people staying within five miles of home or by people travelling a reasonable distance to meet loved ones.”
Ms Baillie, whose Dumbarton constituency includes part of Loch Lomond, said the national park and Helensburgh were ‘heaving’ with visitors who had travelled from far out with the area.
She said social distancing was ignored on trains and the A82 was busy with caravans, motor homes and boats as well over the weekend.
“There seemed to be very little effort to meet the advised social distancing guidelines and it was clear that people had travelled from far out with the area,” she added.
“I completely understand that it has been a long couple of months under lockdown and everyone – especially those without access to outdoor space – are thrilled with the increased freedom that Phase One has given us.
“However, I can’t stress how important it is for everyone to continue to follow guidelines. You must not travel more than five miles for leisure and exercise, you should only meet up with one other household outside and it is vital that you remain two metres apart.
“Many of these smaller villages – with a predominately older local population – have managed to protect themselves from the virus up until now. Huge numbers of visitors from across Scotland will pose a considerable threat to the health and wellbeing of local residents.”
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