Campsites and camping permit areas run by Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority will reopen from Friday (July 17), with campers reminded to book ahead to avoid disappointment.
Campers will once more be able to stay at low-impact campsites on Loch Chon and Loch Achray, or book a permit to camp in areas within the camping management zones where camping management byelaws apply.
The campsite on Inchcailloch on Loch Lomond will not yet be reopening as a Covid-safe cleaning regime is not thought to be manageable at this remote site at the moment, but this will be reviewed as the weeks progress.
The authority says that online booking will be necessary to help manage demand for camping in popular lochshore areas.
Bookings will be taken online for at www.lochlomond-trossachs.org from 9am on Thursday July 16, with bookings available up two weeks in advance.
Capacity at the park authority campsites will be reduced to manage physical distancing and reduce pressure on facilities such as toilets on-site.
The authority says this will help the safety of campers, staff and the communities around them. Numbers will be kept under review, and more capacity will be added as and when it is deemed safe to do so.
The reopening of these sites coincides with the expected reopening of the tourism sector across Scotland from tomorrow (July 15), in line with Scottish Government’s Phase Three of easing lockdown restrictions.
National Park chief executive Gordon Watson said: “With many holidays cancelled this summer, lots of people are looking for a break a little closer to home so we fully expect campsites and camping permit areas that we manage to get booked up fast.
“We’re reminding people to check our website and book a camping permit in advance, as turning up without one may leave disappointed if areas are already at full capacity.
“Like many places across the country, a visit to the national park this summer isn’t going to exactly the same it was before.
“While facilities and local businesses are beginning to reopen, this won’t happen all at once. This season, not all campsites are going to take tents or campervans without facilities on-board, and most, including the ones we manage, require advance booking.
“We can still offer a warm welcome but people will need to think, check and plan in advance to come prepared for their stay.”
Seasonal camping management byelaws are still in effect in some areas of the national park, meaning people can only camp in a campsite or a pre-booked camping permit area.
The byelaws are enforced by both national park rangers and Police Scotland and can result in a fine of up to £500.
Wild camping in accordance with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code will be permitted again from this week outside of the camping management zones.
There are also private campsites throughout the area but the advice is to check facilities on offer this season and book in advance, as many have had to limit the services they provide or adjust their operations to allow for physical distancing and to reduce the spread of Covid-19. ss.
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