SCOTLAND'S first national park is to ban camping at three beauty spots in a bid to curb violence, littering and drunken parties.
The measures, proposed by the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority (NPA), signal an end to the unrestricted access enjoyed by visitors at one of the country's most popular visitor destinations.
The authority has decided to act to try to stop drunken revellers leaving behind litter including cans, bottles and even tents.
The NPA believes greater prevention and enforcement is necessary to meet its long-term goals of easing visitor pressure and eliminating drunkenness, vandalism, criminal damage and assault.
Park leaders have been advised that by-laws prohibiting camping in three key "hot spots" would not contradict the principles of land-reform legislation.
The first areas to ban camping are on the east shore of Loch Lomond at Sallochy Bay, Balmaha and Rowardennan, where the NPA hopes to have by-laws in place by next July.
Graeme Archibald, an NPA ranger team leader and one of four special constables who tackle anti-social behaviour, said the Scottish Outdoor Access Code wasn't intended for people to "party all weekend".
An NPA board meeting today is also expected to back new, informal campsites supported by "camping by-laws".
Central Scotland police said this summer's crime statistics - including 38 crimes and 47 reports to the procurator fiscal - compared "favourably" with the 2008 season.
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