A PLEA has gone out to stay away from Scotland’s highland and island beauty spots after dozens of travellers were found flouting lockdown rules.

According to ferry operator CalMac, 66 travel parties – many made up of car loads full of people – were found attempting to board ferries in Oban in the past week without a legitimate reason.

While there are mounting fears that the Easter weekend may prompt a rise in people attempting to bypass lockdown rules to visit holiday homes, despite the wave of outrage sparked by news that Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer had ignored her own advice to visit her Fife holiday home

Now a call is being made across the Highlands and Islands for people to avoid the temptation to visit during the coronavirus lockdown.

In an effort to hammer home the ‘stay away’ message, Highland Council has closed car parks along the busy North Coast 500 (NC500) route and in Skye.

Meanwhile residents in popular spots along the NC500 trail have placed homemade signs at the side of the route appealing to travellers to stay away.

The organisation behind the NC500 trail has also issued a strongly-worded appeal to travellers to stay away. It said: “Do not travel to the North Coast 500, or elsewhere in Scotland, at this time. In the interest of public safety, you must stay at home.

"We actively discourage planning a North Coast 500 trip in the present climate.”

Tobermory Harbour Authority has also closed the Mull harbour to non-essential visiting traffic following concerns over potential visits from leisure vessels.

While a plea has also gone out to sailors and kayakers to avoid taking to the water, following a spate of incidents last weekend.

David McHaffie, Tobermory lifeboat coxswain said: "Whilst we remain ready to respond to emergencies at sea 24/7 during the current crisis, every lifeboat launch increases the risk of spreading the virus.

"It may also impede our ability to respond to future incidents if the lifeboat has to be taken off service for a deep clean or if our crew have to self-isolate or become ill.

“We completely understand that people will want to take to the water, particularly as the weather improves, but we would ask people to consider the possible impact which this might have on the RNLI and other emergency services."

CalMac introduced new rules last month aimed at stopping day trippers and holidaymakers from reaching islands.

While ferries run by Argyll and Bute Council to Easdale, Luing and Lismore require travellers to show proof of address or ID before boarding.

A CalMac spokesman said: "Only essential travellers are currently being allowed to board, which includes food and medical supplies, utility workers, transport and emergency services."

The plea to stay away came after one holiday rental marketplace, Snaptrip.com, claimed the Highlands are top of the list among users seeking a place to visit once lockdown ends.

While concerns have grown among island and coastal communities that people may travel to holiday homes over Easter in an effort to escape tight lockdown rules, raising the risk of spreading Covid-19 to small remote communities.

Fears have been compounded by at least one leisure craft towing a brightly-coloured surfboard from its deckrail was spotted touring the water off Oban last week.

Oban Councillor Roddy McCuish said: "I can't get over how many selfish people there are, local people are doing their best, but visitors are still threatening our NHS, threatening our food supplies, which we are struggling to get to some of our vulnerable residents.

"People are trying to get on our ferries for non-essential travel, probably just to visit holiday homes to self-isolate themselves up here, it's incredible foolish and selfish."

He called for police to use powers to issue fines to people who cannot confirm they have legitimate excuse to travel, and a trebling of the penalty.

Highland Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent George Macdonald yesterday confirmed officers are willing to take action as a last resort.

He said: "The legal instructions on not leaving your home without a reasonable excuse apply to everyone and individuals must not make personal exemptions bespoke to their own circumstances.

"Wherever our officers encounter people outside, we will engage with them if necessary to establish their circumstances, explain the guidance and encourage them to comply with it if they are doing something that is putting others at risk.

"Only as a very last resort will enforcement action be used where people continue to defy the clear advice being given."

No entry signs are expected to remain in place across Highland Council car parks in some of the area?s most popular locations until the lockdown rules are lifted.

Highland Council convener Bill Lobban said: "We are very fortunate in the Highlands to have wide open spaces and natural beauty, and while it is important to get time outdoors and maintain our physical and mental health, we must ensure we follow the social distancing guidelines and do not put any additional pressure on the NHS at this time.

"The beauty spots will still be there when this is all over."

NHS Highland's director of public health Dr Ken Oates said: "We are currently in a situation that has never been experienced before and for the first time we are making a plea for you to stay away.

"I would ask everyone to protect those in your communities who are most vulnerable; by complying with these measures you can help save lives. Please stay at home."