Angling and Camping Q&As

On 1st March 2017 new byelaws were introduced to manage the environmental impact of camping and fires on some of the busiest lochshores in the National Park, which may impact on people wishing to fish and camp.

The new byelaws do not affect where or when you can fish, but in some locations from March to September, if you want to camp or stay overnight in a motorhome or campervan you  need to obtain a camping permit or book into a campsite. The byelaws also cover how and where you can build a fire when fishing.

These Q&A’s explain how to come and enjoy angling and camping in the National Park under the new byelaws.

1. What do the camping byelaws cover?
2. How do the camping byelaws work?
3. When do the byelaws apply?
4. How do the byelaws affect angling?
5. Does my camping permit allow me to fish?
6. I like to have a fire when I am fishing, can I still do this?
7. How and where can I camp in a Camping Management Zone?
8. Do areas set aside for camping permits cover all of the good fishing spots?
9. Can I still camp and ‘wild camp’ in the National Park?
10. Where are the Your Park campsites?
11. Where can I go in Camping Management Zones with a motorhome or campervan?
12. What area is covered by these camping byelaws?
13. How do the camping permits work?
14. How much do camping and motorhome permits cost?
15. What are the penalties for not complying with the byelaws?
16. I don’t have a shelter when I visit for the day to fish am I affected?
17. What if I put a tent up when I am fishing during the day but don’t camp overnight?
18. I stay in my motorhome when I come and fish, am I still able to do this?

1. What do the camping byelaws cover?

► Where you can camp in a tent and stop overnight with a motorhome or campervan along some lochshores in the National Park, from March to September. If you camp outside of these areas you are not affected by the byelaws. The byelaws cover less than 4% of Loch Lomond & TheTrossachs National Park.

► Irresponsible fire-lighting and collecting wood, including chopping trees for firewood. If you want to have a fire when you are fishing or camping you need to make sure you build it in a place where it will cause no damage or use a fire bowl. You must bring your own wood, as collecting firewood has a damaging effect on wildlife in the area.

 

2. How do the camping byelaws work?

The byelaws create Camping Management Zones along our busiest lochshores, which are easily accessible by road. These Zones include the land from the affected lochshore to the nearby road, and for approximately 200m on the other side of the road, or to the nearest visible feature such as field boundaries or tracks.

Within these Zones, from March to September, camping and staying overnight with motorhomes is only allowed in specific areas by booking a campsite place or by obtaining a camping or motorhome permit. This allows the National Park Authority to manage the volume of people staying overnight in these locations, helping to prevent overuse and damage to these popular lochshore areas.

3. When do the byelaws apply?

The byelaws are seasonal and they apply each year from 1st March to 30th September. The rest of the year you can camp in the Camping Management Zones without a permit, in accordance with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. www.outdooraccess-scotland.com

4. How do the byelaws affect angling?

The byelaws don’t affect where or when it is possible to fish, but they mean you need to plan ahead and obtain a camping permit or book into a campsite if you want to stay overnight in one of the Camping Management Zones.

5. Does my camping permit allow me to fish?

No. You still have to get a valid Fishing Permit.

6. I like to have a fire when I am fishing, can I still do this?

The byelaws cover irresponsible firelighting. If you have a fire it should be small, under control, not cause any damage and you should bring your own firewood. Make sure you build it in a place where it will cause no damage or use a fire bowl.

7. How and where can I camp in a Camping Management Zone?

In addition to all the existing campsites within the National Park, we have committed to providing at least 300 low-cost camping places through:

► Your Park campsites – informal campsites, with bookable pitches and parking.

► Permit areas (some with basic facilities) – specific areas where you can camp with a permit.

There are places for motorhomes to stop off overnight in the Camping Management Zones with a permit.

To find out more and to buy your permit go to www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/camping

8. Do areas set aside for camping permits cover all of the good fishing spots?

The permit areas cover a number of lochshore areas that are already popular fishing spots. With a camping permit you are given a specific area to stay overnight in. This may not be the same place you are fishing as not all the fishing areas are covered by camping permits.

9. Can I still camp and ‘wild camp’ in the National Park?

Yes. Outside the Camping Management Zones responsible ‘wild camping’ in accordance with in the Outdoor Access Code is not affected by the byelaws. Camping across the entire Park from October to February is unaffected by the byelaws.

10. Where are the Your Park campsites?

The National Park has informal camping facilities at the campsite next to The Cabin at Loch Lubnaig, and Forestry Commission Scotland also have Sallochy campsite on East Loch Lomond. A new campsite opened at Loch Chon in the Trossachs on the 1st March 2017. Like the sites at Sallochy and Loch Lubnaig, the Loch Chon site offers informal, low cost camping in a picturesque location.

11. Where can I go in Camping Management Zones with a motorhome or campervan?

Certain sites within the Camping Management Zones are well suited to providing places for visitors in motorhomes, campervans and caravans to stop overnight. There are both campsite locations and permit areas within the Trossachs North and West Loch Lomond Camping Management Zones, with suitable off-road locations to accommodate motorhomes, campervans and caravans. (See map below for detail.)

There are plenty of places within the National Park to stop and rest on your journey. These are unaffected by the new camping byelaws.

12. What area is covered by these camping byelaws?

There are four Camping Management Zones; these are shown on the map above:

• West Loch Lomond
• East Loch Lomond
• Trossachs West
• Trossachs North

13. How do the camping permits work?

Camping in a permit area is ideal for those who prefer to have a ‘wild camping’ experience, as described in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (Outdooraccess-scotland.com), but want to stay in an area within one of the Camping Management Zones:

► A number of permits are allocated for camping in specific areas within the Camping Management Zones.

► People are able to book camping permits in advance online. These permit areas have no formal facilities, offering a way to provide camping at sustainable levels in popular areas within a Camping Management Zone.

Permit areas provide the opportunity to enjoy the National Park’s popular lochshores on a short stay (e.g. while hiking) or while enjoying a recreational activity, such as fishing.

14. How much do camping and motorhome permits cost?

The cost of the permit is £3 per tent or motorhome per night. A camping permit allows the holder to camp within a specific permit area. A motorhome permit assigns the permit holder to a specific location and parking bay. The maximum stay in one permit area is three consecutive nights. Camping at one of the National Park’s Your Park campsites costs £7 per adult per night, with children aged under 16 going free.

There are a number of other campsites across the National Park. The cost of camping at other campsites varies depending on the level of facilities on offer at a specific location. For a list of campsites in the National Park go to www.lochlomond-trossachs/camping

15. What are the penalties for not complying with the byelaws?

National Park Rangers will always offer advice on how and where to camp responsibly but please be aware that failure to comply with the byelaws could result in a report to the Procurator Fiscal and a fine of up to £500.

16. I don’t have a shelter when I visit for the day to fish am I affected?

No, you can continue to visit for the day and fish, with the appropriate fishing permit. The byelaws in relation to camping do not affect you.

17. What if I put a tent up when I am fishing during the day but don’t camp overnight?

Yes, under the byelaws you need a camping permit to use or occupy a tent, wigwam or bivouac at any time. You can have an umbrella up at any time.

18. I stay in my motorhome when I come and fish, am I still be able to do this?

There are a number of permits available for motorhomes and you need a valid motorhome permit in order to stay overnight in the permit area. Their locations and booking information is available on the National Park website at www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/camping