North MSP wants more funding from Scottish Government to 'stop dirty camping' this summer
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A call has been made by a north MSP for the Scottish Government to provide more funding for countryside rangers in a bid to "stop dirty camping" this summer.
It was made by Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Edward Mountain during First Minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament.
He asked Humza Yousaf if extra resources will be made available to local authorities for "additional rangers to help with the reported upcoming tourist influx in rural Scotland".
The First Minister replied: “We value the important work that our countryside rangers do. We have already provided a package of up to £3 million to the national parks, NatureScot and Forestry and Land Scotland to support seasonal ranger activity in 2023.
"That includes running another round of the successful better places fund, which last year supported more than 100 local authority and community ranger posts.
"For this year, recruitment is either well under way or has been completed for the majority of the posts. That complements our investment that is provided through our £18 million rural tourism infrastructure fund, which is helping to future-proof popular countryside locations so that they can be enjoyed for generations to come.
"We have also introduced a bill to give councils the power to raise funds through a visitor levy, which will enable local authorities to invest in practical visitor management solutions."
Mr Mountain pointed out that walking and tourism are worth £1.6 billion to the Scottish economy but said there had been a reduction in the amount of Scottish Government funding from £3.1 million to £900,000.
"I believe that it must be right that we reinforce success," he said. "Will the First Minister therefore consider giving extra funds to remote areas across the Highlands that would benefit from having rangers? That would stop dirty camping, which is obviously a major problem."
Mr Yousaf said the fund was introduced in 2021 to support local authorities following "a huge increase in dirty camping, we think, that resulted from lockdown and from reduced international travel opportunities".
He added: "It was always intended to be a means of temporary support, so a reduction in funding is appropriate as we transition away from this, but I take on board what Edward Mountain has said and of course we’ll explore what more we can do in this regard."
Afterwards Mr Mountain said: "I welcome the First Minister's undertaking to see if more funding can be made available to support countryside rangers in the Highlands, as the summer holidays fast approach. Our region is blessed with many beauty spots but these can quickly be ruined for all by litter or dirty camping.
"The Scottish Outdoor Access Code was created to reduce irresponsible behaviour in the countryside but for the code to be a success the Scottish Government must reinforce it with more funding and more rangers."
