Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) warns public that all of its car parks and visitor centres will remain closed this weekend; advice, which affects numerous Highland beauty spots, comes after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon unveiled road map for easing of Covid-19 coronavirus lockdown restrictions

HOSTS of beauty spot car parks across the Highlands will remain closed this weekend despite moves to ease some of the lockdown's restrictions from late next week, people have been warned.
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), which operates a wide array of car parks and visitor facilities at the country's beauty spots stressed that they will also be staying shut over the long May weekend – and urged the public to stick to lockdown restrictions.

Following the publication of Scotland’s route map through and out of the crisis (21 May), FLS is urging people to comply with the phasing announced and stay local for exercise.

Its plea also followed Police Scotland interventions at an FLS forest in Fife, where a group of people – and several vehicles – had to be reminded of the current restrictions and removed from the site.

Simon Hodgson, FLS chief executive, said: “Today’s announcement is very much welcomed; allowing outdoor activities such as forestry management to resume as part of phase 1 means a selection of our key outdoor staff will – with suitable measures in place – be able to get back to looking after our national forests and land, continuing FLS’s vital work.

“This is the first small step on a longer journey. We all need to continue to play our part in following the Scottish Government and NHS guidance to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 such that, eventually, more of the restrictions can be relaxed.

“In support of that national effort to overcome this public health crisis – and for additional safety reasons – all FLS car parks, mountain bike trails and visitor facilities across Scotland will remain closed.

“Please continue to avoid unnecessary travel and stay local for your exercise – by visiting a woodland that you can get to on foot, by bike or by wheelchair.”

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