Unfortunatley I've been off my work for the last 12 days after being rushed into hospital for a few days, anyway after a lot of hassle and a lot of pain, yetserday my wife suggested taking me out for a short walk to get some fresh air etc. (It's usually me that suggests that). So off we went to the upper reaches of the River Forth near Aberfoyle. We had a lovely walk along the river in what is usually a fairly undisturbed/remoter stretch however unusually there were signs of fires/rubbish throughout the walk.
Anyway after the short walk we bumped into a pal of mine who works for the forestry commission and naturally the conversation came up about the mess "wild campers" were making. He told me that in addition to orgainised raves that were a regular occurrance in the summer deep in the woods (a tent with a complete drum kit inside was found far off the main road recently!), wild camping was becoming an increasing concern for all the landowners in the area. Their biggest concern was rubbish, fires (and cutting down trees), human waste and environmental damage. He explained that the forestry commission were looking into ways to prevent this. I told him about the last time I paddled on Loch Chon where even the islands had vast amounts of rubbish on them, from whole carpets, to sheets of plastic to fold up chairs and we agreed that Loch Lomond was no better. The police now patrol Loch Lomond via a motor boat and they certainly bhave increased patrols and appear to be responding more to irresponsible wild camping in the Trossachs
There was a hint that in future, landowners along with the police will be taking a possibly zero tolerance policy on fires/rubbish/damage as the fact is, the land cannot sustain this level of abuse. I think for me this year has made me think about the impact we all have on the environment when we are out and about and it's made me realise that I think open fires are no longer going to be feasable in many places. I've nearly always used old/existing firepits when having a fire but I don't even think I can justify that anymore. I think the way forward is a raised firebox which I'll need to make or buy! Certainly the landowners in the Trossachs appear to be bearing the brunt and I think that we should be leading by example and really ask if this fire is neccessary or if it is, should I use a fire box?BBQ?
WS
Anyway after the short walk we bumped into a pal of mine who works for the forestry commission and naturally the conversation came up about the mess "wild campers" were making. He told me that in addition to orgainised raves that were a regular occurrance in the summer deep in the woods (a tent with a complete drum kit inside was found far off the main road recently!), wild camping was becoming an increasing concern for all the landowners in the area. Their biggest concern was rubbish, fires (and cutting down trees), human waste and environmental damage. He explained that the forestry commission were looking into ways to prevent this. I told him about the last time I paddled on Loch Chon where even the islands had vast amounts of rubbish on them, from whole carpets, to sheets of plastic to fold up chairs and we agreed that Loch Lomond was no better. The police now patrol Loch Lomond via a motor boat and they certainly bhave increased patrols and appear to be responding more to irresponsible wild camping in the Trossachs
There was a hint that in future, landowners along with the police will be taking a possibly zero tolerance policy on fires/rubbish/damage as the fact is, the land cannot sustain this level of abuse. I think for me this year has made me think about the impact we all have on the environment when we are out and about and it's made me realise that I think open fires are no longer going to be feasable in many places. I've nearly always used old/existing firepits when having a fire but I don't even think I can justify that anymore. I think the way forward is a raised firebox which I'll need to make or buy! Certainly the landowners in the Trossachs appear to be bearing the brunt and I think that we should be leading by example and really ask if this fire is neccessary or if it is, should I use a fire box?BBQ?
WS