turning our much into the ‘wild west’

Cllr Robertson - who represents Kinross-shire ward - said Loch Leven was described as being like the “wild west” thanks to antisocial campers.

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He said: “There are serious issues as a result of wild camping on the shores of Loch Leven. One of the Nature Scot wardens described it as like the ‘wild west’ - people doing as they wish camping anywhere and leaving litter and human waste when they leave.

“I am in the process of setting up a multi-agency meeting involving the police, council officers, NatureScot wardens and my fellow ward councillors to see if we can put together a plan to deal with this problem.

“The police have suggested the introduction of by-laws that would empower them to deal with situations they are unable to deal with currently. I hope to hold this meeting before the end of the month.”

In 2022 locals set up the Loch of Clunie Preservation Group to protect the historic spot, which is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

They have raked beaches, filled hundreds of bags with rubbish, restored the landscape and erected signs, including signs to deter people from camping and lighting fires next to the ospreys’ nesting tree.

A spokesperson for Loch of Clunie Preservation Group said: “Spring in rural Scotland brings not only bluebells and sunshine, but it also brings out people who don’t care about the environment, and just want to ‘get away’ on a Friday night, party, get drunk, and then go home and leave everything behind.

“Not everyone, of course, but over the last six to seven years we've seen a gradual increase in litter and bad behaviour and there is little sign of things improving.