More seasonal rangers, temporary toilets, car parking and campervan facilities will help rural areas to welcome back visitors when coronavirus restrictions are eased.

The work – supported by £2.75 million to be administered through the NatureScot Better Places Fund – comes after countryside hotspots saw a marked increase in tourists last year, resulting in issues such as a lack of services, littering and antisocial behaviour.

• A multiagency Visitor Management Steering Group has published a list of actions to ensure rural communities are prepared, including:
• investment in infrastructure and facilities,
  including doubling the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund to £6.2 million
• engagement with Police Scotland who will work closely with communities and 14 Partnerships Against Rural Crime Groups to help manage challenging behaviour
• a review of existing guidance where needed, in particular on managing camping with tents and starting fires

Local authorities and community organisations can apply for grants of up to £75,000 per site, which will be administered through NatureScot’s Better Places Fund Round 2