NatureScot is considering implementing an overnight closure of the Burleigh Sands car park at Loch Leven during peak tourist seasons to address mounting issues linked to overnight camping.
This proposal is among several being explored to mitigate the increasing problems at the site, located near Kinross. Loch Leven is more than a scenic destination; it holds multiple environmental designations, including being a National Nature Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Protected Area, and a Ramsar site.
According to NatureScot, the current volume of campervan and car-based camping at the Burleigh Sands car park has reached unsustainable levels, leading to significant negative effects.
A spokesperson for NatureScot explained, “Loch Leven National Nature Reserve (NNR) is first and foremost a nature reserve. Our primary goal is to protect the wildlife, while also encouraging responsible access for visitors. However, in recent years, unsustainable levels of camping have brought issues such as public toileting, littering, fires, and vegetation damage. These actions are harming the reserve, disturbing its wildlife, and impacting the visitor experience.”
NatureScot is assessing multiple strategies to curb these challenges. Among the options being considered are the partial overnight closure of the car park during high season and the installation of barriers or gates to limit access. “No final decisions have been made,” the spokesperson added. “We will engage in further discussions before concluding, and the public will be informed of any resulting changes.”
Local authorities are also stepping in. Kinross-shire ward councillor Willie Robertson has expressed serious concern over the impact of wild camping along Loch Leven’s shoreline. He noted that a NatureScot warden had likened the situation to the “wild west” due to unchecked camping activity and the associated waste left behind.
Robertson, a Liberal Democrat, is working to convene a multi-agency meeting involving police, council representatives, NatureScot staff, and fellow councillors to develop a coordinated response. He emphasized the potential role of by-laws in giving authorities the power to take effective action.
“There are serious issues as a result of wild camping on the shores of Loch Leven,” Robertson said. “The police have suggested that introducing by-laws could empower them to handle these situations more effectively. I am aiming to hold this meeting before the end of the month to forge a clear strategy.”
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