Edward Mountain MSP calls on First Minister to fund more rangers to “stop dirty camping” this summer

Edward Mountain MSP continues to call for more funding for countryside rangers in the Highlands, as part of his campaign to improve the resourcing of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

During First Minister’s Questions today, Edward Mountain MSP asked: “whether 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. The posts include people who are employed directly by our public bodies and others who are supported through the better places fund. 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.”

Edward Mountain MSP then said: “Scotland, as he says, leads the way in outdoor access rights and walking tourism is worth £1.6 billion to the Scottish economy. But we’ve seen a reduction in the amount of money that’s being paid from £900,000 from £3.1 million. So, First Minister, I believe it must be right we reinforce success and therefore will you consider giving extra funds to remote areas across the Highlands which would benefit from rangers and stop dirty camping, which is obviously a major problem?”

The First Minister replied: “I’m grateful to Edward Mountain, not just for raising this issue, but of course, for supporting the work that the Scottish Government, in partnership with local authorities has taken forward. He will know, of course, that the fund that was introduced in 2021 was there 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.”

Following the exchange, Edward Mountain MSP said:

“I welcome that the First Minister is 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.”