WATCH: New video campaign from Ramblers Scotland urges responsible camping
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Cairngorms National Park Authority are one of several groups putting their weight behind a video campaign to aid responsible camping this summer.
Ramblers Scotland has launched its biggest-ever video campaign to urge beginners to enjoy responsible days out during the busy summer ahead.
The charity has joined with major partners and a diverse panel of young co-producers to create a series of irreverent videos featuring BBC The Social’s Natalie Erskine and young Edinburgh comedy outfit Fix This Window.
The ‘#RespectProtectEnjoy’ films are being promoted on TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram throughout the warmer months to gently encourage young adults to:
Use stoves not fires or disposable BBQs
Leave no trace
Prepare for busyness by having a Plan B
The campaign launched just before the first May bank holiday and the videos have already been viewed more than 850,000 times.
The campaign is also being supported by VisitScotland, NatureScot, John Muir Trust, Forestry and Land Scotland, Cairngorms National Park Authority and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority.
Ramblers Scotland director Brendan Paddy said: “It’s exciting for our economy, health and happiness that booming numbers of people are visiting Scotland’s outdoors, but at busy times this can create pressures at our popular hotspots.
“That’s why we’re running our most ambitious video campaign ever, to support the next generation to leave no trace and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
“With so many beginners benefitting from getting outdoors, it’s important that we support people to leave no trace. The excellent early viewing figures suggest that these videos are already playing a part in educating this new, younger audience of outdoor enthusiasts to responsibly access the countryside.”
A diverse panel of young adult co-producers has been involved every step of the way - from planning the videos and choosing platforms to honing the scripts and even performing as extras.
Natalie Erskine, who currently stars in BBC Scotland’s hit comedy show May Contain Nuts, said: "I had so much fun filming these videos! I hope everyone enjoys watching them as much as we enjoyed making them, but I also hope that the serious message we wanted to promote will stick in people's minds. Scotland's countryside is truly special and we must respect it."
Ramblers Scotland hopes to build upon the success of a wild camping film it produced last year with social media influencer Jarad Rowan. It was viewed more than 300k times and won a UK award.
This year’s videos were produced by Heehaw film agency and filmed at Craigmead car park, with kind permission from Fife Coast & Countryside Trust.
