Police Scotland will have additional officers patrolling rural beauty spots over the Easter weekend as they anticipate scores of visitors to flock to the area.
In recent years, the Easter weekend has seen thousands of visiotrs make day trips to the Stirling area - causing parking problems at a host of rural locations.
Ahead of the bank holiday weekend, Police Scotland said that it will step up patrols in order to deal with the influx of daytrippers and are reminding visiotrs to remain respectful to communities.
Inspector Andrew Bushell said: “With a busy weekend expected Police Scotland will have additional officers patrolling the beauty spots of rural Stirlingshire. We will be out supporting our colleagues from the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Stirling Council and Forestry and Land Scotland.
"We would encourage anyone coming to the area to act responsibly and park in permitted areas only so as not to obstruct the road network.
"Whilst most visitors are respectful, any instances of anti-social behaviour or any aggressive behaviour towards staff of any our partners will not be tolerated and robust action will be taken.
"Please enjoy your visit and help us protect the natural beauty of the area and be considerate towards the local communities who live and work here.”
Click here for more news and sport from the Stirling area.
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is also inviting visitors who are planning a visit to a forest to be ‘mindful’ to get the most out of their day.
Stuart Chalmers, FLS Visitor Services Manager, said: “Being outdoors is a great boost for health and well-being and we’re expecting to welcome thousands of visitors over the Easter weekend.
“With over 300 visitor destinations to choose from around the country, we have something for everyone.
“We want to make sure that everyone has as enjoyable a visit as possible. We are asking all visitors to be mindful of communities, other visitors, nature and our staff when visiting our forests.
“Sunny weather will mean it won’t just be you who’s thinking about visiting, so plan ahead, park safely, and consider alternative sites to visit if your first choice is too busy when you arrive.
“We would also encourage people to take pride in Scotland’s beautiful countryside and respect it, protect it and enjoy it.”
Visitors are also being asked to take their litter home and not to light campfires.
In April last year, we told how one councillor was urging people to respect current Covid travel restrictions following a chaotic Easter weekend for local police and council workers. Trossachs and Teith SNP councillor Evelyn Tweed appealed for calm and consideration following reports of increased travel and ‘dirty camping’ near Stirling’s ruralbeauty sites.
We told how Stirling Council workers were faced with verbal and physical abuse whilst working at the clearways at Ben A’an and at Balmaha.
Police and council officers were also forced to dish out tickets to vehicles parked on double yellow lines on the B834 and Finnich Glen, near Killearn. Eleven people were also reported to the Procurator Fiscal for environmental offences after camping in a field, off Lyon Road, near Killin, used a landing spot and refuelling location for emergency helicopters. The boozed-upcampers were unable to drive home when ordered to do so.
In Stirling, police had to patrol Kings Park after large gatherings of youths, believed to have been as many as 200 at one point, congregated and acted in an antisocial manner, including underage drinking.
