Hundreds of people have signed a petition in protest at the introduction of parking charges at Faskally Woods in Pitlochry.
The woods are best known for hosting the Enchanted Forest for one month each autumn.
But they are also popular with locals of the Highland Perthshire town.
Faskally Woods is almost two miles from the town centre and on the opposite side of the A9, so many users drive and park there.
But land owner Forestry and Land Scotland has announced that car parking charges from January 2023 will be £2 an hour, £3 for the day and £10 for a minibus.
A petition protesting at the charges has been signed by almost 500 people in just 24 hours.
And some Pitlochry residents say that they will no longer visit if they are forced to pay to park.
Their dismay has been echoed by local Conservative politicians.
‘I won’t go if there is a charge’
Sadie Robertson, 81, is attracted to the woods by its areas of flat terrain.
She walks her dog Shorty there a couple of times a week.
“It’s great for my well-being to be out in nature and I often have lovely chats with people I meet on the path,” she said.
“But I won’t go if there is a charge.
“To spoil this outdoor time in a place that is special for many people is awfully sad.”
Idea is ‘non starter’
Joy Spalding says visits to Faskally Woods helped her husband recover from a triple heart bypass five years ago.
“At first we only walked for 15 minutes and were able to extend this slowly,” she said.
“Similarly a friend recently used the same loops to help their mother when she was rehabilitating from a hip replacement.
“It’s perfect for this with the various loops available and the relatively flat smooth path.
“To be forced to pay £2 per day for a 15-minute walk would have been a non starter and detrimental to recovery.”
Will take away ‘freedom of access’
Janet Watson has walked in the woods for almost 30 years, during which time she has seen her dogs thrive and gain confidence in the open space.
“Faskally forest is very important as part of my day to day life,” she said.
“Being retired and with knees that won’t work as they used to the flat accessible paths are ideal for myself and my husband.
“Being able to just park and let my dogs out to run on these paths gives me great pleasure.
“To introduce parking charges takes away my freedom of access and use.
“And although I understand the need for upkeep and maintenance the wrong group of people are being penalised.”
Political support
Local Scottish Conservatives have backed the residents in their bid to get the parking charges overturned.
Murdo Fraser MSP and Councillor John Duff have written a joint letter to Forestry Land and Scotland (FLS).
Mr Fraser, who represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region, said: “Many of the people who use Faskally Woods are elderly residents, some of whom use the woods to walk their dogs twice a day.
“They have told us they will find it extremely difficult to continue doing this if parking charges are introduced.
“Other residents have said the parking charges may also affect the Saturday Park Run, which takes place in the woods.
“We have asked Forestry Land and Scotland to look at our concerns and think again about the proposed parking charges.”
And Cllr Duff, who represents the Highland ward, said: “A weekly charge of £15-£20 for parking will be prohibitive, especially in the current financial climate.”
He added that it would “result in many local people having to forego their enjoyment of a regular walk in these woods”.
Owner’s view
Forestry and Land Scotland was unable to respond to our request for a comment due to Friday’s public holiday.
But its website addresses the issue of parking charges on its land.
It says: “We regularly review the visitor experience at our charging car parks and introduce charging where it is appropriate to do so.
“This is only where the number of visitors justifies the resources required to install and maintain pay and display machines.”
Resident Julie Mayer set up the petition and has also created a Facebook protest group.
Conversation