ANALYSIS: Will barbecues still be allowed in Badenoch and Strathspey?
It will become an offence punishable by a fine to light a barbecue, camp fire or any other kind of open fire in large parts of the Cairngorms National Park when the new byelaw is in force.
However, crucially, local residents will still be able to enjoy a barbie if they are in their gardens and likewise for holiday-makers at self-catering lets.
The restrictions will not apply to gas barbecues used in a responsible manner.
It will, however, mean an end to the use of disposable barbecues beyond gardens when the bylaws are in operation.
Park officials are keen to stress that there is still another stage of public consultation and the next stage in the process will define things in more detail.
The draft wording at this stage states: “It shall be an offence under these byelaws for any person without lawful authority to light or use a barbecue anywhere in the national park unless the barbecue is wholly contained within the curtilage of a private dwelling house and is under the control of the landowner, tenant or occupier of the dwellinghouse, so as to safeguard against damage or danger to any person, wildlife, building, structure, tree, shrub or vegetation.”
There is clearly a presumption that the legislation will not apply in people’s own property such as gardens – including hotels, holiday properties and so on.
Instead the focus will be on preventing recreational fires in the Great Outdoors.
One of the big questions is how all of this will be policed and Cairngorms National Park Authority bosses have already said it will put their resources - both staff and finances - under extra strain.
As with any law this will not prevent every occurrence.
But park bosses have said legal backing and new signage and additional patrols should make a significant contribution to reducing the fire risk.
A Cairngorms National Park Authority spokesman spelt out the next steps and confirmation of the position on barbecues.
He said: “Following today’s discussion, officers will pull together a full draft byelaw proposal which sets out the specifics of what is and is not permitted, and over what timeframe.
“This will then be subject to a further consultation period.”
So if there is ban away from gardens then what can be done to enjoy a barbie?
Fixed barbecue facilities are commonplace in holiday spots across the world and typically found in places like campsites or other locations which are managed.
This would mean they would be most likely exempt from the bylaw.
The Strathy asked if the park authority had any intentions of assisting with putting these in place.
The spokesman said: “The park authority doesn’t own any land within the national park so facilities such as fixed barbecue points would be a matter for individual land managers.
“Exemptions to the fire byelaw will be set out in full within the proposed consultation wording in September, and this will likely include official campsites and facilities.”
All the main finals details will come out via the public consultation.
Under the new byelaws it could also become an offence to place or throw or let fall a lighted match or firework or any other thing so as to be likely to cause a fire unless the fire is wholly contained such as in a garden.
Visitors will still be able to use fireplaces connected with bothies and the responsible use of a camping stove will also be permitted.
The maximum fixed penalty for a fine is unclear at this stage.
