Loch Lomond prepares for staycation surge after lockdown ends
Extra toilets and parking spaces are being provided in anticipation of an increasing number of visitors in 2021
Bosses at Loch Lomand and Trossachs National Park say they're prepared for a surge in visitor numbers when travel restrictions are lifted towards the end of April.
They say they've learned lessons from last summer when facilities were overwhelmed with day trippers and Scots taking holidays in their own country, with significant increases in staff, toilets and parking capacity.
A Joint Response Visitor Management Plan has been developed for the 2021 season with partners including Police Scotland, Transport Scotland, Forestry & Land Scotland and the four local authorities that cover the area.
Gordon Watson, Chief Executive of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: “One of the positives that came out of the pandemic last year was that more Scots discovered the natural environment closer to home and that is something we want to support, especially after months where opportunities to travel have been limited.
Pressure points
“However, the huge surge in visitor numbers in 2020 did bring with it challenges and pressures, particularly on communities in popular, rural locations."
The plan includes additional Rangers, wardens and enforcement officers, extended toilet opening hours and extra toilets at popular visitor locations, increased litter collections and more staffing at weekends.
There will also be extra overnight parking spaces for motorhomes provided.
Mr Waston is also urging families not to visit during the school Easter holidays in early April when the Scottish Government advice will still be to travel only within your council area, execpt for essential journeys.
"We hope people will stick to that and not arrive in the national park when lots of facilities and businesses will not be open.
"We will have a ranger service on the ground and we'll be working very closely with Police Scotland who will also be deployed making sure people are respecting the guidance. We would ask people to wait that bit longer.
"We know it's been a long winter lockdown but there's not long now until the 26th April when we can welcome everyone to the National Park."
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