MEMBERS of the public appear to have heeded pleas not to visit the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park over the Easter holiday weekend.

The park authority’s chief executive issued a call last week for people not to go to the area, but to stay at home and observe social distancing instructions.

Gordon Watson’s plea came after large crowds flocked to Luss, Arrochar, Balloch and elsewhere on the weekend of March 21 and 22 – when warm and sunny weather graced much of the country, but just before the UK government’s strict lockdown rules were brought into force.

And those limits – combined with the granting of enforcement powers to police – appear to have had the desired effect, with no significant breaches of the rules reported within the National Park’s boundaries.

READ MORE: 'Don't be tempted to visit National Park over Easter', say Loch Lomond authorities

Mr Watson said this week: “I want to thank everyone who followed the national guidance and stayed home this bank holiday weekend.

“Any holiday weekend tends to see a huge influx of visitors to the National Park, but especially on those when the weather is as good as it was last weekend.

“I know how tempting it is on a sunny day to get out there and enjoy this wonderful place we have on our doorstep, but in light of the coronavirus pandemic the most important thing is that everyone stays safe by staying home and local for their daily exercise."

In addition to the park authority's closure of all its own visitor facilities, Argyll and Bute Council also shut its car parks in Arrochar, Luss and Duck Bay until further notice ahead of the holiday weekend to try and deter people from visiting.

READ MORE: Council closes car parks at Loch Lomond and Loch Long until further notice

“It seems strange to say, but I was delighted to see that roads, car parks and popular visitor sites all remained largely deserted despite the sunny weather.

“This shows people are doing the right thing and I hope to see this continue.

“My thanks also go to Police Scotland colleagues for patrolling traditionally busy sites in the National Park to ensure those people who are present are following government restrictions.

“The National Park and all it has to offer will be waiting to welcome you in safer times.”

READ MORE: Click here for all the latest news headlines from around Helensburgh and Lomond