Parking banned near Devil's Pulpit beauty spot

Parking restrictions have been put in place near the Devil’s Pulpit, a popular Scottish beauty spot.

Stirling Council has painted double yellow lines on the roads around the gorge, which is also known as Finnich Glen, near Killearn to protect public safety.

The gorge has been used for scenes in TV series Outlander and The Nest, as well the film King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.

The area has seen a rise in visitors after lockdown restrictions were eased last month, but problems have existed in the glen for several years with police frequently called out to deal with traffic congestion. There have also been several rescues after people became stuck in gorge.

Parking has now been restricted on a 2.2-mile (3.5km) stretch of the A809 from Duat to the boundary of Dalnair. A mile-long (1.6km) stretch of the B834 from its junction with the A809 to the A81 roundabout is also included in the restricted area.

Convener of Stirling Council’s environment and housing committee, Jim Thomson, said: ‘The council has fast-tracked the installation of double yellow lines on the roads around Finnich Glen due to the serious risks to public safety from dangerous and reckless parking. People have been showing no regard to their safety or that of others. This must stop. I would urge visitors to the area to comply with the parking restrictions - if they don't, enforcement action will be taken.”

The new measure supersedes the emergency "no waiting" restriction in the area that was in force between 26 June and 16 July.

The new parking restrictions have been backed by local community groups.

Police Scotland has also been patrolling the roads at weekends.