Visitor Management Strategy action log: 11 March 2021

This action log provides a high level overview of co-ordinated activity at national level by VMS partner bodies. It does not capture the considerable amount of activity underway at local level, led in particular by local authorities.

ACTION TO DATE: Short term (spring 2021) - completed Short term (spring 2021) - in progress Short term but not yet underway or Longer term COLOUR CODING status to be confirmed

VMS Priority 1 - Informing and educating our current and future visitors

VMS ACTIVITY LEAD (SUPPORT) ACTION TO DATE

Deliver an integrated inspirational VisitScotland (Education & Marketing Considerable activity underway through E&M sub-gp to develop overarching “Yours to explore/all of ours to & informative marketing campaign sub-group) care for” campaign - for launch from late March. to promote responsible countryside enjoyment (priority - UK/EU audiences). VisitScotland / local authorities (LAs) Strategic promotion of a range of destinations/activities to spread visitor benefits and impacts.

Refresh SOAC promotion with targeted NatureScot (Education & Marketing sub- Considerable activity underway through E&M sub-gp to develop collaborative SOAC promotion, including campaigns (priority – entry-level group) high level overarching messages and specific messaging on key topics – closely linked to the above. messages, dogs, fires, camping) and the development of new education resources NatureScot Downloadable SOAC branding revised to more strongly identify the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and work for distribution via Schools, Colleges/ better on social media. Universities and Youth organisations. NatureScot Campaign on responsible access with dogs now underway to coincide with lambing season (ahead of main campaign launch as above).

NatureScot (Visitor Management Agreed national messaging approach for open fires, with strong links to local messaging (which can be Strategy groups, National Access Forum restrictive where needed). (NAF), Scottish Outdoor Access Network (SOAN), Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF)

NatureScot, Cairngorms National Park Messaging re. legal context for off-road parking of campervans clarified by Operational Group and E&M sub- Authority (CNPA), VisitScotland, Scottish gp. Government, Police Scotland

VS/CaMPA Developing and promoting good practice for campervan users to include messaging (as above) and coincide with easing of restrictions.

NatureScot (Young Scot) Video animations for young people launched on YoungScot website in October 2020; ready for use in 2021.

NatureScot (National Parks / Keep Programme of work with schools and colleges to be initiated from autumn 2021; not practical under current Scotland Beautiful / John Muir Trust) COVID restrictions. VMS ACTIVITY LEAD (SUPPORT) ACTION TO DATE

Development of a communications toolkit Visitor Management Strategy, Education Toolkit of resources being compiled/developed. for partners & industry & Marketing sub-group members

Deliver a programme of stakeholder & VisitScotland Develop a programme that engages with the tourism industry to a) let them know about the campaign and industry networking events to develop and b) encourage them to get involved – giving them the tools to do so. share key messages and resources

VMS Priority 2 - Investing in Scotland’s current and future visitor management infrastructure and services

VMS ACTIVITY LEAD (SUPPORT) ACTION TO DATE

Develop short and long-term investment Investment and Infrastructure sub- Collating overall resource requirements for visitor infrastructure across Scotland (National Parks and LA priorities though a refreshed RTIF and group areas). other relevant funding streams VisitScotland, Scottish Government Thirteen new projects across Scotland supported through round 3 of RTIF (Rural Tourism Infrastructure Tourism Fund) – January 2021. RTIF doubled to £6.2 million for next round.

NatureScot, Historic Environment A number of projects in the Highlands & Islands supported under the Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund will Scotland (HES) contribute to local visitor management.

NatureScot, Forestry and Land Scotland Better Places Green Recovery Fund established by NatureScot in December 2020 to support co-ordinated (FLS), Loch Lomond & The Trossachs visitor management planning. 35 plus projects funded (circa £400,000) including in East Lothian, Arisaig (car National Park (LLTNPA), CNPA park/path design) and various communities on NC500 via North Highland Initiative. A second round of funding to support additional investment in temporary and permanent infrastructure / services for the 2021 season will be launched on the 19 March – Scottish Government is providing £2.75 million to support this fund.

Local and National Park authorities Increased permanent or temporary provision of parking facilities (including overflow options at peak times), (FLS, Scottish Land & Estates (SL&E)) public toilets and litter/waste disposal/collection in National Parks and various other locations.

Develop and implement proposals for Scottish Government Planning, LLTNPA Discussion in hand re. encouraging flexible approach to approval of visitor management facilities by improved provision for camping and planning authorities for 2021. motorhoming across Scotland Scottish Government, FLS, NatureScot, Potential licensing barriers to promoting light touch overnight campervan parking on land managed by VisitScotland, LLTNPA public bodies have been addressed; can be achieved via exemptions to allow FLS & NatureScot to operate sites under their supervision in 2021.

Investment and Infrastructure sub- Clarify wastewater disposal options. May need more permanent waste disposal facilities (e.g. at public loos) group and temporary seasonal facilities at visitor hotspots. VMS ACTIVITY LEAD (SUPPORT) ACTION TO DATE

Investment and Infrastructure sub- Water-tank fill up points (possibly linked with above), possibly based on shared services approach with group campsites, petrol stations and public toilet blocks)

NatureScot / NAF Revised NAF guidance on managing camping with tents completed and published in February 2021 to help inform local management, including options for light touch provision, drawing on experience during 2020.

VisitScotland / TS / Local and National Providing better real time information centrally and regionally to reduce overcrowding in key areas, for Park Authorities example through roadside variable message signs and information ‘on the ground’.

NPAs Technological approaches to visitor management (e.g. sensors to indicate car park availability) are being trialled in the National Parks; these will require appropriate management as well as infrastructure and will not be ready to launch immediately.

Trial and develop low-cost, low carbon Transport Scotland, Sustrans, Need to encourage more active travel-based visits where practical, and increased use of public transport/ and integrated transport solutions at VisitScotland, LAs / National Park shuttle buses subject to ongoing COVID restrictions (requires provision in popular visitor destinations, not key locations to help reduce traffic Authorities just large population centres). management and parking issues

Review and enhance current provision and NatureScot - Ranger Development Revised policy statement supporting Rangering in Scotland has been concluded – to be launched shortly. funding for rangering workforce to support Partnership (RDP) Wider support for professional development of the ranger workforce is under ongoing discussion with RDP. visitor management CNPA, LLTNPA, NatureScot, FLS Increased seasonal ranger/site staff provision will be implemented by land managing public bodies / National Park Authorities (in CNPA area, for example, this will lead to an approximate doubling of combined staff capacity on the ground).

NatureScot Funding extended for 12 community and private sector ranger services supported by NatureScot

NatureScot, Scottish Government Further funding for seasonal ranger provision to be distributed through a second round of the Better Places fund (see details above)

NatureScot, Scottish Countryside A joint Leading Edge training event for rangers (with Scottish Countryside Rangers Association) will take Rangers Association (RDP) place in March 2021. An online training resource on challenging behaviour to be provided by LLTNPA. VMS Priority 3 - Delivering a joined up and cohesive action plan across Scotland

VMS ACTIVITY LEAD (SUPPORT) ACTION TO DATE

Put in place effective governance All Visitor management strategy governance framework established in Oct-Nov 2020 arrangements to provide national leadership and co-ordinated action for Various Visitor management plans established at various scales and in different contexts – e.g. CNPA visitor visitor planning and management. management plans for key areas such as Deeside & Angus Glens, NatureScot resilience strategy for National Invest in visitor management Nature Reserves (NNRs) across Scotland.

Operational Co-ordination Group (Op Collectively develop a Visitor Management “Problem Solving” matrix (action proposed by Prevention, Group). Regulation & Reassurance sub group for Op group)

Operational Co-ordination Group (Op Education seminars between agencies/organisations and sectors to gain understanding of each other’s Group). capabilities, priorities and role (action proposed by Prevention, Regulation & Reassurance sub group for Op Group)

Prevention, Regulation & Reassurance Develop multi agency “who has powers to do what” guidance for byelaws, offences & regulations. sub group, Police Scotland LL&TNP / LA’s

Prevention, Regulation & Reassurance Collectively developing a seasonal calendar of known events including public holidays, school holidays etc. initially – then other sub-groups Calendar provided and circulated to Operational Group for discussion.

NatureScot (Op Group) Reviewing opportunities for joint working by public sector staff to respond flexibly to visitor management needs within different areas.

Invest in visitor management partnerships Police Scotland / LAs (Prevention, Local strategies in preparation to co-ordinate traffic management, reopening/expansion of facilities/services in key areas to improve local visitor Regulation & Reassurance sub group) and policing in NC500 area, the two National Parks, Highland Perthshire, East Lothian and the Pentland planning arrangements and address anti- Hills. social behaviour NatureScot / VisitScotland Request to voluntary organisations to discuss how they could engage in visitor management activities & others (action proposed by Prevention, Regulation & Reassurance sub-group for Op Group). Liaison with environmental, recreation and land management Non-governmental organisation (NGOs) / Scottish Governing Bodies (SGBs) is ongoing via eNGO (Environmental NGO) liaison group, Visitor management strategy Op Group and sub-groups, NAF and ad hoc liaison over specific tasks.

Police Scotland (Prevention, Regulation Discussion underway to mobilise Special Constables (approx. 450 in total), Police Scotland youth volunteers, & Reassurance sub group) SFRS (Scottish Fire and Rescue Service) cadets, water bailiffs and other volunteers as additional staff on ground.

Police Scotland, LLTNPA Partnership Against Rural Crime (PARC) established in LLTNPA in Jan 2021. Thirteen other local PARC groups have been directly engaged in preparatory work elsewhere. VMS ACTIVITY LEAD (SUPPORT) ACTION TO DATE

Prevention, Regulation & Reassurance Early engagement with local Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) to develop awareness and sub group guidance relating to regulation and enforcement activity

LAs Visitor management groups being established in various areas – e.g. South of Scotland Visitor Management Group (Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway councils).

Support communities to develop the skills Generic request advertising for landowners interested in discussing diversification of land for visitor and capacity to develop local approaches management purposes (action proposed by Prevention, Regulation & Reassurance sub-group for Investment to visitor management and Infrastructure sub-group).

NatureScot, NFU Scotland, SL&E, NAF Develop improved resources to help land managers to manage access issues under SOAC. For further follow- up with land management bodies to assess potential interest.

Develop a communication plan with a VisitScotland, Scottish Government Media activity to announce visitor management strategy work is in preparation with Scottish Government. key messaging framework to ensure (NatureScot) stakeholders, partners and industry are kept up to date and engaged with the work of the Visitor Management Strategy

VMS Priority 4 - Becoming and remaining a world leader in visitor management

VMS ACTIVITY LEAD (SUPPORT) ACTION TO DATE

Establish and make effective use of the NatureScot (LLTNPA, CNPA, Scottish Online survey of general public to track recreation behaviour and attitudes during COVID completed in evidence base – map issues and pressures Forestry) September 2020. Timing of next survey dependent on timing and nature of lifting of lockdown measures and monitor improvements in visitor experience and behaviours. NatureScot (SOAN) Online survey of access authorities to obtain overview of access issues completed in October 2020. Timing of next survey under consideration.

NatureScot (Visitor Management Overview of hotspots being compiled to inform estimates of resource requirements (Investment and Strategy groups) Infrastructure sub-group) and collaborative local management (Prevention, Regulation & Reassurance sub group).

Learn from global experience and share UK ORN / Europarc member bodies Wider sharing of experience took place in 2020 (and ongoing) through UK Outdoor Recreation Network and our emerging good practice in sustainable Europarc. visitor management VMS ACTIVITY LEAD (SUPPORT) ACTION TO DATE

Ensure that the visitor management Scottish Government environment; local Review the issues and opportunities for better on-going provision/maintenance of ranger services and the strategy remains a high profile element of and NP authorities, FLS, VisitScotland recreational infrastructure for sustainable tourism including paths to view points, features of interest and the 2030 vision and is integrated with other and NatureScot popular locations such as beaches, mountain tops, loch shores and riversides - to be discussed. work to implement this vision.

Undertake regular reviews of progress with VisitScotland Longer term action. the strategy every three years.