National Park Authority Launches Public Consultation on Camping Management Byelaws Review

• Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority launches 12-week public consultation on its pioneering Camping Management Byelaws, marking ten-year review since they were introduced in March 2017  

• Nearly 300,000 people have camped in permit areas since 2017, with satisfaction consistently above 90% and complaints down from 324 in 2017 to just 40 in 2025  

• Proposals include tighter fire restrictions given the increase in wildfire risk and new legal protection for Rangers, making it a specific offence to threaten or abuse National Park staff, as aggressive incidents have more than doubled since 2021 

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority is inviting the public to take part in a consultation as part of the statutory ten-year review of its Camping Management Byelaws. The Byelaws were introduced in March 2017, the first of their kind in Scotland and have played a significant role in protecting some of Scotland’s most treasured landscapes while ensuring camping remains accessible and enjoyable for all. 

Operating from 1st March to 30th September, the Byelaws apply to designated Camping Management Zones, popular lochshore areas including parts of the banks of Loch Lomond, where campers must book a permit or campsite in advance. They also regulate the use of fires and collection of wood in these areas. The majority of the Park, remains open to informal wild camping under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. 

Before the Byelaws, high volumes of camping in easily accessible lochshore areas, combined with antisocial behaviour by a minority, was causing considerable damage to the environment and negatively impacting local communities, businesses and other visitors. The Byelaws were introduced with three clear aims: to protect the environment; to ensure people from all backgrounds have accessible, affordable opportunities to camp at popular locations; and to minimise antisocial behaviour and its impact on communities, businesses and other visitors. 

While certain issues persist, the positive results have been significant. Since 2017, just under 300,000 people have camped in permit areas and low-cost campsites, 97% of which have done so responsibly – with satisfaction scores consistently above 90%. Complaints about camping have fallen dramatically, from 324 in 2017 to just 40 in 2025. Only 9% of tents recorded by Rangers in Camping Management Zones have been outside permit areas or campsites, and just 9 complaints about camping outside the zones have been received since 2017, providing strong evidence that problems have not simply been displaced elsewhere. 

Importantly, access has also remained inclusive. Campers have been drawn equally from across all Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation categories, and 409 groups from charities, educational and inclusion organisations have been supported to camp for free through the Camping Authorisation Scheme. 

Kenny Auld, Head of Visitor Services at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority said: “This review marks nearly ten years since the Camping Management Byelaws were introduced. That decision proved controversial for some at the time, but it came out of necessity and reflected our remit as a National Park Authority to balance public access and enjoyment while protecting the natural environment we all care deeply about. Our role is to demonstrate that people and nature can thrive together, but that sometimes means making difficult decisions, testing new approaches and being willing to learn from them. 

“We’re not claiming the Byelaws have solved every issue. Positive progress has been made but we recognise that some pressures persist. This review is our opportunity to ensure the Byelaws continue to evolve, remaining effective, fair, and fit for a changing landscape, a changing climate and changing behaviours. 

“I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and the tangible improvements these Byelaws have made possible. I want to thank the vast majority of the nearly 300,000 campers who have visited our permit areas responsibly, and our local communities and partners whose support has been essential in making that progress possible.” 

Commenting on the Camping Management Byelaws, local business owner and East Loch Lomond Community Trust member David Fraser said: 

“My family and I remember the situation here in Balmaha on the banks of Loch Lomond prior to the Byelaws being introduced, and it was dire for all concerned. Anti-social behaviour, damage to the local landscape and related negative impacts meant that, as a local resident and business owner, something absolutely needed to be done to stop the situation getting completely out of control. We supported the Byelaws when they were introduced, and ten years on feel they have genuinely made a massive positive difference to locals and visitors from Scotland and further afield. We continue to support them today but welcome the opportunity for this review to ensure they remain fit for purpose.” 

Based on nearly a decade of evidence and stakeholder engagement, the Park Authority has identified proposals across five priority areas for the review: the geographical areas covered by the Byelaws; their seasonal timing; the use of fires and barbecues; the growing use of motorhomes and campervans; and appropriate protections for frontline National Park Rangers.  

Among the proposed changes, the Park Authority is seeking to strengthen fire restrictions in response to both the increased number of camping visits, all fires recorded within Camping Management Zones and the growing risk of wildfires due to climate change. Proposed measures would require fires to be raised off the ground in a contained vessel (such as a fire bowl), and extinguished if requested by a Ranger during periods of high wildfire risk. 

The Park Authority is also proposing to make it a specific offence to threaten, abuse or behave aggressively towards a National Park Officer. While the great majority of campers engage positively with staff, recorded instances of aggressive behaviour have more than doubled since 2021, a trend reflected in many other public-facing roles across Scotland. Including this provision within the Byelaws would provide staff with clearer protection, enable more efficient enforcement and use of public resources. 

Though proposals do not pre-empt the outcome, as all views gathered will play a central role in shaping recommendations to Scottish Ministers, and no changes can come into force without Ministerial approval. 

The public consultation is now open and runs for 12 weeks until 21st September 2026. People are encouraged to share their views online at  www.lochlomond–trossachs.org/campingreviewstory or in person using printed copies available at National Park visitor centres, campsites and local libraries across the area. 

Following the consultation, the Park Authority is required to submit its findings to the Scottish Government by 1st March 2027. 

Further information on the Camping Management Byelaw Review can be found on our website.