Car parks and some public toilets will reopen in the area around Loch Lomond later this week - but visitors are being warned that it won't be "business as usual".

The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority says it'll begin opening all of its car parks this Friday, July 3 - if the First Minister confirms dates for the next stage of the easing of Scotland's lockdown limits.

Throughout the lockdown the park authority has pleaded with visitors not to travel to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs from further afield - to varying degrees of success.

On the first weekend of eased lockdown limits, at the end of May, huge crowds descended on visitor hotspots, including Luss, Arrochar, Balloch and Callander.

READ MORE: A weekend of chaos in Luss and Arrochar as large crowds descend after easing of lockdown limits

The provisional timeline set out so far by the park authority for the phased reopening of facilities is as follows.

July 3 – car parks open, toilets in key visitor areas open when possible.

July 11 – Further toilets opening, Duncan Mills Memorial Slipway in Balloch reopening for launching and retrieval.

July 17 – National Park campsites at Loch Chon and Loch Achray to reopen.

READ MORE: National Park bosses start to plan for reopening - but visitor facilities remain shut for now

Gordon Watson, chief executive of the National Park Authority, said: “I share everyone’s relief that Scotland has made such good progress in reducing the spread of infection that we can take further steps to move out of lockdown and I know people will be looking forward to coming back to the National Park.

“It’s absolutely vital that people take responsibility for their behaviour and what they bring with them. If bins are full or there are no bins the right thing to do is to take your litter home.

“Likewise, if car parks are full, don’t park on roads. If you arrive and it looks too busy then it is too busy.

READ MORE: Tourism restart plan 'may not prevent loss of up to 2,000 National Park jobs', warns industry expert

"Don’t add to the chance of the virus spreading in crowded areas. We will be doing our best to provide updates to the public when car parks are full.

“We will also be continuing our close partnership working with Police Scotland and local authority parking enforcement teams, who alongside our ranger team will be helping people to act responsibly and comply with local regulations.

“We’re urging everyone considering a visit to think, check and plan ahead before they come and will be providing detailed information on our website from this week to help them.”

More information and advice for those planning a visit to the National Park from July 3 can be found at lochlomond-trossachs.org/visitors.

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