News on Perth and Kinross Visitor Advice

A range of measures to deter dirty camping and promote responsible tourism will be used in Perth and Kinross this year.

Perth and Kinross boasts some of Scotland’s most stunning scenery and an influx of visitors is expected as Coronavirus restrictions ease.

Although most visitors behave responsibly, last year a number of communities suffered as a small minority engaged in anti-social behaviour such as littering and vandalism.

Additionally, drivers who parked their cars inconsiderately blocked narrow rural roads, making it difficult for other traffic, including emergency vehicles to pass.

This year the Perth & Kinross Council-led Visitor Management Group, which includes Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue as well as Forestry and Land Scotland, is taking a number of steps to address these.

Our work to manage visitors this year this year will focus on engagement, education, encouragement, enforcement, and infrastructure improvements.

The Love it Like You Live Here campaign will urge visitors not to spoil beauty spots for other visitors or local communities.

Clearways have been introduced on a number of roads around beauty spots and those who ignore these and park their cars could be fined, or even have their vehicles towed away.

A new car parking area has also been created at Loch Clunie, thanks to a donation of hardcore from Breedon Aggregates.

One of the issues raised last year was human waste and an innovative new pilot project running at Loch Tummel and Loch Rannoch aims to tackle this unsanitary issue.

“Dig It Kits”, which include a metal trowel and paper bags, will be issued to visitors to encourage the responsible disposal of human waste.

Perth & Kinross Council is also investing £250,000 to fund seven Visitor Ranger posts over the summer months.

They will help provide advice to tourists and campers to help stop any problems arising.

A dedicated email address has been set up at visitormanagement@pkc.gov.uk for communities to report any issues.

Perth & Kinross Council’s Depute Director of Communities Clare Mailer said: “We always welcome visitors to Perth and Kinross and know people will be desperate to enjoy our scenery after months of lockdown.

“And while the vast majority of visitors behave, it only takes a small minority to ruin things for our rural communities and other visitors.

"We are asking all visitors, wild campers and residents to enjoy the great outdoors responsibly, and not spoil it for others.

"Our multi-agency group is taking a range of measures to help promote this issue but where people do behave in an anti-social manner

“We are very lucky to live in an area of great natural beauty and we must work together to protect and look after it.”

Robin Lofthouse, Forestry and Land Scotland’s Area Visitor Services Manager, said:

“There are a great many beautiful sites to visit in Perthshire and it’s important that we all play our part in making sure they stay that way.

“With public and media support we intend to get that message across and ensure that, as and when COVID-19 guidance allows, everyone enjoys the outdoors experience safely and responsibly.”

SFRS Perth and Kinross Group Commander Ewan Baird added:

“Perthshire has some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland which attracts many visitors to the area. Due to COVID restrictions we are expecting to see numbers of visitors increase. As the challenging situation is most likely to remain, the SFRS has raised concerns regarding access issues to waterways to action rescues and the high risk of open/campfires going out of control potentially growing to wildfires.

“These challenges we face as a rescue service are avoidable if visitors pre-plan, take proper precautions and act responsibly. Our waterways and lochs present a huge attraction, however mixed with alcohol and anti-social behaviour can, and has, led to devastating consequences.

“To work more effectively, this year we will be harnessing the capacity of our retained and volunteer station staff on a larger scale to tackle these issues which are literally on their doorstep. Working collaboratively with partner agencies we will undertake a programme of visits to these beauty spots to discuss our concerns with our visitors and let them understand the local communities concern.”

Chief Inspector Graham Binnie, Police Scotland, said: "We are going to see increased traffic on our roads and if you are visiting beauty spots then I would urge you to please do so safely and respectfully - leaving no trace of your visit. Please also park responsibly to allow emergency access.

“Our approach throughout the pandemic has been to engage with the public, explain the legislation and guidance and encourage compliance, but we will not hesitate to continue to use our enforcement powers as a last resort. "

NHS Tayside Director of Public Health Dr Emma Fletcher commented:

“We continue to make really good progress against this virus. The number of new cases across Tayside continues to decrease and this is a direct result of our hard effort following the guidelines and the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine programme. As restrictions ease and we all enjoy these new stages go cautiously. We’re getting there but still have a little bit to go. Remember if you have a new cough, a fever or a loss of taste or smell, you need to isolate immediately as do your family and you need to book a test.

“There’s now community asymptomatic testing available in Tayside so if you do not have a fever, cough or loss of taste or smell but still want to get tested you can now do so. Visit the Tayside Cares website at www.taysidecares.co.uk for more information about the testing centres which are visiting 21 locations across Tayside on a weekly basis. This is a great opportunity particularly if you are feeling a bit under the weather but don’t have one of the three classic symptoms of COVID-19. So do keep following the guidelines, go cautiously and stick with it Tayside!”

John Muir Trust East Schiehallion Property Manager, Liz Auty added:

“We love the fact that people want to connect with nature and enjoy wild places again, but we need everyone to care for them too and be mindful of the impact they’re having.

“Anyone concerned about large crowds of people gathering in beauty spots should contact Police Scotland on 101 in the first instance or dial 999 in an emergency.“