Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority (LLTNPA) has unveiled a new series of measures that have been designed to help tackle problems associated with high visitor numbers.

More than 3.5 million people visit Scotland's first national park each year, and officials have now become concerned that the anti-social behaviour of a small minority of visitors has started to threaten the park's visitor experience. LLTNPA plans to introduce new, informal camping areas with toilet and litter facilities in three trial areas - East Loch Lomond, Loch Venacher/Lubnaig and Luss - in a bid to complement existing byelaws that prohibit camping in other certain areas.

The authority also plans to tackle the issue of traffic volume within the park's boundaries and will consider reducing the amount of traffic and car park congestion at peak times. Fiona Logan, LLTNPA chief executive, said: "Our success in encouraging large numbers of people to visit the Park has led to a number of issues that the NPA and partners need to resolve including informal camping, litter, toileting and traffic management.

"There are also the problems of excess - the extreme issues caused by a minority of people resulting in a range of anti-social behaviours including drunkenness, vandalism, criminal damage, assault and vehicular trespass that we wish to reduce through increased management." Richard Lochhead, the Scottish Government's cabinet secretary for rural affairs and environment, added: "There are many visitors during the summer months, which has put considerable pressure on the area over the years. So it is essential we all pay due respect to the area when visiting."