05 August, 2026
Burleigh Sands car park weekend closure
Visitors are advised that the car park at Loch Leven National Nature Reserve’s Burleigh Sands will be closed at weekends over the remainder of the summer to tackle anti-social behaviour.
In recent years, unsustainable levels of campervan and car-based camping with large tents have led to a significant increase in issues including human waste, litter, fires, damage to vegetation and wildlife disturbance.
As a result, we have taken the difficult decision to restrict vehicle access at weekends.
From Friday 7 August, the recently installed gate will be closed from 12pm on Friday to 9am on Monday. The closure is a temporary measure which we will keep under review for the rest of the summer.
Further consultation with stakeholders and the community will be needed to consider the longer-term measures needed to manage visitors to this part of the reserve.
Ian Bray, Head of NatureScot’s South Operations Team which manages the reserve, said: “Loch Leven National Nature Reserve is first and foremost a nature reserve and our emphasis is on protecting wildlife while welcoming responsible visitors.
“The sands have become very popular in the summer as a destination to bring large tents by car, camp and have a fire. Unfortunately, in many cases these activities along with other anti-social behaviours have damaged the reserve, disturbed wildlife and disrupted other people’s enjoyment.
“The car park and beach area is not suitable for this type or level of activity. It is a sensitive loch shore where birds seek refuge, feed and breed. Local residents have been telling us they are now less keen to visit during busy summer months, and our staff have had to deal with verbal abuse and threatening behaviour while doing their jobs.
“The vast majority of our visitors are very responsible, and we will continue to welcome them to the reserve through the many other access points around the loch, and around the circular path, popular with walkers and cyclists, which passes through Burleigh Sands.”
ENDS
Contact information
- Name
- NatureScot Media
- Telephone
- 0131 316 2655
- media@nature.scot
Notes to editors
Outdoor access rights do not extend to the use of motor vehicles, pitching of large tents or fires in or near woodland, during long dry periods or at times of high fire risk.
Landowners, public or private, generally have the rights to manage parking of vehicles including restricting or regulating parking on their land.
NatureScot is Scotland's nature agency. Responding to the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, we work to protect and restore nature by inspiring everyone to value our natural world. Our goal is a nature-rich, net-zero future for Scotland. For more information, visit our website at www.nature.scot
'S e buidheann nàdair na h-Alba a th’ ann an NàdarAlba. Bidh sinn a’ gleidheadh agus a’ slànachadh nàdar le bhith a’ brosnachadh a h-uile duine gu spèis a chur air an t-saoghal nàdarra againn, agus sinn a’ freagairt air an dà chùis-èiginn de chall bith-iomadachd ’s atharrachadh na gnàth-shìde. ’S e ar n-amas nàdar beairteach ’s cothromachadh carboin do dh’Alba. Airson an tuilleadh fiosrachaidh, thoiribh sùil air an làraich-lìn againn aig www.nature.scot