The photograph above shows what it was like at Luss on Loch Lomond today. The coming weekend, with soaring temperatures predicted to continue, is expected to bring an increased number of visitors to Loch Lomond and to the wider National Park area.
With real risks involved in a lot of people, high temperatures and water to play in and on, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority and Police Scotland are urging visitors to take care and behave responsibly so that accidents are avoided and everyone can enjoy the Park.
This message follows a number of recent incidents reported including hospitalisations from hypothermia; and near misses involving jet skis.
These summer temperatures, the Commonwealth Games on the go and the Glasgow Fair in process are together more than likely to bring greater numbers to what was Scotland’s first and gloriously scenic National park – 0n the northern fringes of the city of Glasgow.
[Update 22.15: This will not have been hindered by the fact that the Commonwealth Flag has just been raised for the Games with violinist Nicola Benedetti playing - with an aching profundity - The Bonnie Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond.]
National Park ranger, David Cameron underlines the situation: ‘We look forward to welcoming visitors to our beautiful National Park. It’s important people understand how to use it safely so that everyone can enjoy the experience on and around our lochs. Most people behave sensibly and with consideration for others -but with the better weather here to stay for a while it’s worth reminding everyone of the best way to enjoy the Park.
‘Over the past few weeks, we have reported 16 byelaw violations relating to speeding and lifejackets. We have also witnessed a number of incidents, including one at Luss where a jet skier had a near miss with a swimmer.
‘We attended a capsized canoe where one passenger had to be rescued from the water and all three on board were taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia. We have also helped tow numerous boats to safety.’
On the water
Mr Cameron has five important points that, if observed, will make everyone’s weekend a memorably good one
- ‘Please make sure your boat is fully maintained before you even think about coming on to the Loch.
- Make sure you have enough fuel for your trip.
- Please check you’re familiar with the byelaws including speed limits.
- Make sure you’re carrying lifejackets for everyone onboard.
- And finally, please respect other users on the water.
He says: ‘Loch Lomond is a big stretch of water. There is room for everyone if people behave responsibly.
‘We don’t want to spoil your fun in this good weather but we do want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable time out there.’
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is a spectacular place to visit, with great transport links from Glasgow, Argyll and central Scotland; and with lots of places to camp and experience this world-renowned area overnight. The majority of the people who visit the National Park enjoy the area responsibly and leave no trace of their visit.
National Park rangers are reminding those staying in the Park of some basic advice to ensure the area can be enjoyed by everyone visiting or staying overnight.
Camping do’s and don’ts
- Take rubbish home and recycle what you can.
- Never cut down or damage trees to make a fire.
- Use a stove if possible.
- Use a public toilet if possible – if there are no public toilets, find a spot away from open water, burns or rivers and use a trowel to bury your waste.
- Avoid camping too close to others.
- Keep noise and lights low after 9pm so wildlife and other people are not disturbed.
Increased vigilance from Operation Ironworks
Police Scotland will be out on patrols, including boat patrols with rangers, this weekend as part of Operation Ironworks.
Operation Ironworks is a partnership initiative between Police Scotland, Loch Lomond &The Trossachs National Park and Forestry Commission Scotland which responds to increased offences and concerns within Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park – related to visitor management. In particular the operation is intended to provide additional Police resources to target and deal with the minority of visitors responsible for an increase in anti-social behaviour such as vandalism, theft, littering, assault and other forms of disruptive and irresponsible behaviour through Intelligence-led high visibility proactive mobile and foot patrols targeting identified problem areas.
Inspector Gerry McMenemy, who is leading Operation Ironworks, says: ‘Officers will be patrolling popular visitor areas and will be targeting anyone intent on carrying out criminal acts or creating disorder. Please respect the rules, byelaws and speed limits on Loch Lomond.
‘The forecast is for hot weather and I strongly urge people to take care when visiting the lochs and rivers in the National Park.
”The water temperature can still be extremely cold, despite the temperature on land being hot, and this means you can get into difficulty within seconds. Underwater obstructions and undercurrents can be present and many lochs have steeply shelving shorelines, meaning that people can quickly get out of their depth.
‘We want everyone who visits Loch Lomond and the other lochs in the National Park area to be safe and go home safe.
‘Please don’t drink alcohol and then go swimming or take part in other recreational water activities.
‘Alcohol affects people’s judgement and abilities and people can easily make dangerous decisions when under the influence of alcohol and put themselves at extreme risk.’
We are all fortunate to have this fabulous National Park on our doorsteps, with all of the resources for activities it possesses and all of the opportunities it offers for people to live differently for a while.
Everyone can enjoy it and no one should leave it worse than they found it. It belongs to all of us.
