The most popular parts of the National Park which experience pressures are managed to ensure that the quality of environment, visitor experience and community life are protected and enhanced.
High visitor numbers can put pressure on our most accessible and popular places and landscapes within the Park, particularly on lochshores, in picturesque towns and villages, and along popular paths.
Alleviating pressures
These pressures take a number of forms, from congestion of car parks, litter, irresponsible or anti-social behaviour, to general wear and tear on the environment from the cumulative effect of high volumes of people visiting these areas throughout the season.
The National Park’s road network can become very busy at peak times and problems can be exacerbated by illegal or irresponsible parking.
The safety of all road users can be threatened by vehicles travelling at unsafe speeds.
We see a continuing need to address these issues through the right combination of engagement and education, investment in facilities and, where necessary, management measures and regulation to help alleviate pressure, change behaviours and prevent damage.
Visitor facilities
Much public investment has already been targeted on raising the quality of visitor facilities in the busiest areas such as improving car parks, toilets, information points, litter facilities, viewpoints and providing campsites.
This approach has achieved transformational improvements to East Loch Lomond and parts of The Trossachs through the 5 Lochs Visitor Management Plan. Continuing to find solutions which prevent these problems will support the more sustainable use of busy sites and give confidence for the private sector to play a role in providing new visitor offerings.
The priorities for Outcome 8 are outlined below:
Priority 8.1 - Visitor Management
Ensuring locations experiencing visitor and recreational pressures are well managed with the appropriate combination of infrastructure investment, education and regulation, including:
Ensuring designated Camping Management Zones provide for sustainable levels of camping and motorhome use, including new managed facilities, alongside other visitor activities.
Strengthening efforts to prevent and manage litter more effectively at popular visitor sites and routes, and address marine litter issues on Loch Long.
Developing car parking and traffic management measures to address peak traffic pressures at some locations such as East Loch Lomond.
Delivering educational campaigns with partners to promote responsible enjoyment of the Park’s environment, including safe use of its road network.
Priorities for investment in this area will be: Visitor facilities, parking, motorhomes and toilets.
Benmore
Priorities for investment in this area will be: Paths, visitor facilities and parking.
Firkin Point
Priorities for investment in this area will be: Paths, visitor facilities, parking, motorhomes, camping and toilets.
Tarbet
Priorities for investment in this area will be: Visitor facilities, parking, motorhomes, toilets, commercial opportunities and loch access.
Inveruglas
Priorities for investment in this area will be: Paths, visitor facilities, parking, motorhomes, toilets, camping, commercial opportunities and loch access.
Balquhidder
Priorities for investment in this area will be: Paths, parking, motorhomes and camping.
Loch Earn
Priorities for investment in this area will be: Motorhomes, camping, toilets and loch access.
Leny
Priorities for investment in this area will be: Paths, visitor facilities and parking.
Rowardennan
Priorities for investment in this area will be: Paths, visitor facilities, parking, camping, toilets, commercial opportunities and loch access.
Milarrochy
Priorities for investment in this area will be: Paths, visitor facilities, parking, toilets, commercial opportunities and loch access.
Balmaha
Priorities for investment in this area will be: Paths, visitor facilities, parking, toilets, commercial opportunities and loch access.
Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve
Priorities for investment in this area will be: Paths, visitor facilities and parking.
Listed below are partners who have committed to helping deliver these outcomes (Lead Delivery Partners) and those who could provide further support (Support Delivery Partners).
