From this weekend, a Loch Leven car park will temporarily close every Friday to Monday to tackle anti-social behaviour. NatureScot has taken the “difficult” decision following issues with visitors damaging the nature reserve, disturbing wildlife and other people’s enjoyment, as well as threatening and abusing staff.
Councillors urge rethink
Local councillors have called on NatureScot to have a rethink, with one Kinross-shire councillor – contacted by several “horrified” local residents with mobility issues who regularly use the car park – calling the move “excessive”. Liberal Democrat councillor Willie Robertson has asked Scotland’s nature agency to reconsider its decision.
In October 2025, Perth and Kinross Council’s Planning and Placemaking Committee unanimously granted NatureScot permission to install a bright yellow 2.1m high barrier and six-metre long hinged gate across the entrance to Burleigh Sands car park. NatureScot said it was installing the barrier due to “unsustainable levels of campervan and car camping” at the Loch Leven Nature Reserve woodland car park, which has space for 30 cars.
Barrier installed after camping issues
When the decision was made, Kinross-shire Independent councillor Dave Cuthbert saw it as “being a bit of a sledgehammer to crack a nut”. When the plans were approved, NatureScot insisted it had “no plans to open and close the gate at set times” but would “keep gate closure as an option to manage excessive visitor numbers or antisocial behaviour”.
And that option is now being taken. This week, NatureScot announced the gate will be closed every weekend “over the remainder of the summer to tackle anti-social behaviour”.
NatureScot defends decision
A NatureScot spokesperson said: “In recent years, unsustainable levels of campervan and car-based camping with large tents have led to a significant increase in issues including human waste, litter, fires, damage to vegetation and wildlife disturbance. As a result, we have taken the difficult decision to restrict vehicle access at weekends. From Friday 7 August, the recently installed gate will be closed from 12pm on Friday to 9am on Monday. The closure is a temporary measure which we will keep under review for the rest of the summer. Further consultation with stakeholders and the community will be needed to consider the longer-term measures needed to manage visitors to this part of the reserve.”
Ian Bray, head of NatureScot’s South Operations Team which manages the reserve, said: “Loch Leven National Nature Reserve is first and foremost a nature reserve and our emphasis is on protecting wildlife while welcoming responsible visitors. The sands have become very popular in the summer as a destination to bring large tents by car, camp and have a fire. Unfortunately, in many cases these activities along with other anti-social behaviours have damaged the reserve, disturbed wildlife and disrupted other people’s enjoyment. The car park and beach area is not suitable for this type or level of activity. It is a sensitive loch shore where birds seek refuge, feed and breed. Local residents have been telling us they are now less keen to visit during busy summer months, and our staff have had to deal with verbal abuse and threatening behaviour while doing their jobs. The vast majority of our visitors are very responsible, and we will continue to welcome them to the reserve through the many other access points around the loch, and around the circular path, popular with walkers and cyclists, which passes through Burleigh Sands.”
Mixed reactions from residents
One resident said: “This is a step too far.” Another called it “an outrage”. While another said: “I don’t see why this is an outrage. I personally think the outrage is the bags of rubbish and human waste left by the lazy that don’t care.”
Kinross-shire ward councillor Willie Robertson has heard from a number of “horrified” local residents and thinks the move is “excessive”. Cllr Robertson said: “I have already had a number of emails from local people who are horrified that Nature Scot has decided to close the Burleigh Sands car park at the weekends. Many people who use this car park to access the loch side and the heritage trail have mobility issues so the closure is stopping them from getting the exercise and fresh air they are seeking. I am only too aware of the issues we have been having with wild camping by a few irresponsible campers but it seems excessive to block access for everyone for this reason. I would be grateful if Nature Scot could revisit this decision and allow unfettered access to the Burleigh Sands car park at all times. I would be pleased to provide whatever support I can to come up with a management plan for the site that allows this to happen.”
Independent councillor Dave Cuthbert agreed. He said: “I am disappointed with this decision. I have written to the NatureScot Reserve Manager to ask that it be reversed. There has been a number of groups wild camping in the area and there have been complaints from residents, over the mess left behind by them. However, closing the gate will prevent a lot of people accessing the Nature Trail from this popular car park. So, it is a question of balance, and my own view is that the car park should be kept open.”
Similar closure at Loch of the Lowes
Just last month, The Scottish Wildlife Trust decided to close its car park at Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve, near Dunkeld overnight following several incidents of “irresponsible behaviour” and damage to the reserve. The decision was sparked after a fire was set just metres from the visitor centre on Saturday, July 25. The Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve car park is now only accessible during the centre’s opening hours from 1030 until 1700.
