Wild camping is being curtailed by the Scottish Government at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs.
Ministers have approved new rules which restrict campers’ freedom to peg down at lochside locations.
The additional byelaws, which ban camping in certain areas, have been condemned as “completely unnecessary”, but the Government says they are necessary to protect the environment and curb anti-social behaviour.
David Gibson, from Mountaineering Council of Scotland, said the byelaws will “criminalise those who would otherwise wish to exercise their rights to wild camp responsibly”.
Environment Minister Aileen MacLeod said the seasonal byelaws cover just 3.7 per cent of the area of the national park and will only be in force for seven months of the year.
She said: “This is about managing camping rather than preventing it.”
The introduction of the byelaws in March 2017 will coincide with the opening of 300 new camping spots, Ms MacLeod added.
Wild campers ‘criminalised’ under Scottish Government plan for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
