Camping ban at places on Loch Lomond

Scotland's first national park is to ban camping at three beauty spots in a bid to curb violence, littering and drunken parties.

See Article

Well at least the places I camp ain't in the banned areas.
Also just another example of the BAN BAN BAN culture of this country rather than tackling the problem head on.
The authority knows where the problem areas are, why not bombard them with regular patrols.
It was on the News at the beginning of the season that there was gonna be a big Police presence on the Loch this season.
Yes there was a big police presence, at the Easter weekend, that was it. The odd time at DMMS throughout the season there were a couple of officers standing at the doorway to DMMS with there hands stuffed down their vests struggling to crack a smile.
That TV campaign was a Farce, the money would've been better spent on paying someone to patrol the Loch for that few extra hours on a Sunday night when everyone is leaving. Then catching the ones who are causing the damage. Too much like hard work that Idea eh!
My post I put up about the mess I cleared up on Inchmoan! I still ain't heard anything back from either the police or the park authority & I really can't be bothered phoning up to enquire about the phone top-up card I found.
Ban Ban Ban Ban Ban, It's a JOKE!

I think they're reading the forum!

Another Article

Good, I hope they are reading the forum. A few points I'd like to make on that latest article.

Notice the picture, park rangers could be given extra powers. Is this the new park authority uniform? No!
Like I said it's just the Police wanting to look good in the community, Looking to be actively tackling the problem. Notice how clean the beach is that their walking on, why not pick one where the litter problem is & have a black bag sorry refuse sack in their hand. Plus there is no leaves on the trees, the pic was taken in the winter by the looks of it. Is that down to bad journalism? or the fact that the journalists couldn't get a picture of the police in the summer, why? Coz the police were hardly there lochside in the summer.

Volunteer ranger service for welcoming visitors, to let the professionals carry out enforcement.
Yeah! great Idea, Get that brigadier burning diesel like theres no tomorrow actually patroling the loch instead of being parked up most of the time because the "professional" wardens have to help dummies reverse their trailers down a slipway.

Loving the comments at the bottom of the article

The person left scotland because there was too much drinking going on
Most postees on there were giving the drinkers a good bashing.
I get steamboats when I camp on the island, but I take all my litter back to balloch with me no matter how bad the hangover is.

There is a simple strategy to solving this problem.

It's Ignorant people who are causing the damage here.
How do you combat ignorance? EDUCATION.
The authorities should get out there & talk to the campers, the good campers & the bad instead of bobbing about looking at the campers on the shore through a set of binoculars. Get out there & talk to them, Educate them about the damage that is being caused & whatever issues there are. Instead of trying to intimidate them from a distance. Get to know the campers, good & bad.
Also, the education process takes a while, not just over a bank holiday weekend.

Too much like hard work though BAN BAN BAN BAN BAN

Of course banning camping in these areas means that these idiots will just come round to where you, I and other decent people like to camp.....

Does any other Forum users have an opinion on this matter?

I think the byelaws and restrictions are getting to become a joke... before we see anymore how about policing the present ones ?

I have seen very little presence on the water this year, and this I am told is purely down to staffing and budgets... no point in bringing in more legistlation until they start enforcing the current laws...

The rubbish problem on the islands seams to have really esculated in the last two years, cheap tents and camping equipment hasnt helped.

I sympathise on the feeling of lack of action, I have also reported several incidents this year and seen no action taken... I also note the brigadier not answering radio calls now.. it seams they would rather you report problems to the Police, I kind of dont blame them as I wouldnt want to tackle some of the people I have seen. The Park Authority needs more rangers and they need a 24 hour presence in some areas., which means more budget..

/Rantover

Best Regards

Craig

Agree with all the comments made. Should be a 24hr presence on the loch and as for the Brigadier it is just a waste of money. The NPA could have bought about another 4 ribs for what they must have paid for the Brigadier. And the further North of the loch it appears that the NPA have zero appearance just they do in the south. Where were the water rangers when the yobs at Luss and around the islands are breaking the by-laws with there jetskis and speedboats travelling at speed. So far has anyone heard of anybody been prosecuted this year for breach of by-laws it is a joke.

Oh well thought I’d throw a few comments in since I have been quite over the last few weeks, maybe not up to speed with it all as this is my first season on the loch which sadly is coming to an end to fast for my liking but a few comments to stir things up courtesy of Stella Artois,

I’m actually up for banning the ned brigade from our bonnie shores, here we have a beautiful part of the world at our feet and I can see the attraction for those from Glasgow, locals and further a field for that matter to have such beauty on their doorsteps to come to enjoy and get away from the daily grind, but they have to respect and behave, anti social behaviour is not acceptable full stop. My wife, sister in law and all the kids used to love walking the Balloch side of the park but came across old, young and full families of neds out of their face shouting and swearing and to be simply honest scared both the adults and kids so much its no more thanks to them. Had to buy a bloody boat to go get some peace,

While I agree education is important and I suppose a ned allegedly has not had the privilege not everyone wants to be educated or is interested, our prisons are full of low life who I’d hazard a guess many are more than educated, we are all responsible for our own actions, we all know you don’t lave your rubbish behind and you don’t be anti social.

As for approaching them now that does take balls of steel, 12 teenage to early 20’s, mad on the Buckfast, burning trees down and making a bloody racket, excuse me young men I’d like to explain and educate you on the rules of the park, SPLATT – Fists optional but feet and chibs the preferred tools – no ta

Next – Now while I’m not here to defend the Brigadier and all those involved I can comment on a couple of things regarding her, I can honestly say every time I have gone out on the loch I have seen her out patrolling or skiving or whatever but none the less on the water every single time. I also broke down twice and got no help from CH, instead the brigadier came to my rescue, and the guy and gal on her were great, friendly and couldn’t have been more helpful, they took me back to my berth at CH. To my horror the second time it was the same guy and gal, we cracked some jokes and again more than helpful and it was free bloody brilliant service, the AA or RAC aint free



Anjo I have seen articles in the local papers, Lennox Herald this year 2 or 3 times with comments to people being reported to the PF for breaking bylaws, from memory I have seen not enough life jackets/floats, speeding and under the influence, not a lot all the same but certainly a few, as for the question were they prosecuted – Don’t know

Right that’s enough for now back to the Stella, tongue and cheek, tongue and cheek,

Hi Campbell,

I assume you just finished a six pack.

With regards to the Brigadier seen it disappear into the distance yesterday and then 30 mins later a call on VHF ch 16 somebody shouting for Dincans slipway. Yes the Brigadier did answer the call as the boat owner requested a tow as he had run out of fuel at Luss. He had already stopped at Luss to relieve his bladder as did his other 3 passengers. The call then moved to ch 06 where he was approx 100 yards from Luss shore and his paasengers were also still on the shore. His final request to the Brigadier was to givew him a tow and asked the Brigadier if they could pick up his passenegrs. What a bloody cheek.