CAR parks and some public toilets in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park are set to reopen in a few days - but visitors are being warned that it won’t be ‘business as usual’.

Some facilities operated by the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority will begin to open for visitors this week in line with the expected easing of lockdown travel restrictions, but visitors are being reminded that it won’t be the normality enjoyed before the coronavirus pandemic struck.

Anyone considering visiting the park is being urged to think carefully, check information and plan ahead.

To help, the park authority has published a provisional timeline for a phased reopening of their visitor sites and facilities over the next three weeks following the changes to Phase 2 restriction announced by the Scottish Government last week.

And if safety measures and confirmation of lockdown easing dates are outlined by the first minister, the National Park will begin opening all of its car parks this Friday, July 3 along with some toilets in key visitor hotspots.

The provisional timelines set out so far by the Park Authority is as follows.

July 3 – car parks open, toilets in key visitor areas open when possible.

July 11 – Further toilets opening, Duncan Mills Memorial Slipway reopening for launching and retrieval.

July 17 – National Park campsites at Loch Chon and Loch Achray to reopen.

Gordon Watson, chief executive of the National Park Authority, said: “I share everyone’s relief that Scotland has made such good progress in reducing the spread of infection that we can take further steps to move out of lockdown and I know people will be looking forward to coming back to the National Park.

“It’s absolutely vital that people take responsibility for their behaviour and what they bring with them. If bins are full or there are no bins the right thing to do is to take your litter home.

“Likewise, if car parks are full, don’t park on roads. If you arrive and it looks too busy, then it is too busy.

"Don’t add to the chance of the virus spreading in crowded areas.

"We will be doing our best to provide updates to the public when car parks are full.

“We will also be continuing our close partnership working with Police Scotland and local authority parking enforcement teams, who alongside our Ranger team will be helping people to act responsibly and comply with local regulations.

“We’re urging everyone considering a visit to think, check and plan ahead before they come and will be providing detailed information on our website from this week to help them.”

More information and advice for those planning a visit to the National Park from July 3 onwards can be found at lochlomond-trossachs.org/visitors.