AROUND thirty camper vans have allegedly been turned away from a Fort William park as the Scottish Government urges the public not to use the Highlands and Islands as a retreat from the coronavirus.

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford shared on Facebook that he had been contacted by the Nevis Range Centre in Fort William to say they had been turning away camper vans that had driven from across the UK to isolate in the Highlands.

In his post, the MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber branded the behaviour "irresponsible" and "counterproductive" before cautioning the public that "if these warnings are not heeded and people need to be stopped from travelling, then I am afraid that is what will have to happen".

READ MORE: Tourists told to stay away from vulnerable communities

In his post on social media, Blackford said: "I have been contacted by the Nevis Range Centre in Fort William who tell me that they have had to turn away around 30 camper vans, which had travelled from various parts of the UK, who were intending to use their car park as a refuge.

"I cannot stress enough that this pattern of behaviour is irresponsible, counterproductive and must stop with immediate effect.

"Local services here are, and will continue to, face unprecedented pressure levels as we all battle this global pandemic. I urge everyone to do the right thing; follow the Government advice and please do not travel here.

"If these warnings are not heeded and people need to be stopped from travelling, then I am afraid that is what will have to happen. Those in camper vans please go home!"

MP Angus MacNeil earlier tweeted a picture of camp beds set up in Castlebay Village Hall in Barra which he said had been prepared by medics as an overspill facility in the case of a Covid-19 outbreak.

“This is not far from third-world basic,” he said. “No ventilators, not much oxygen either, no testing.

Islands such as this could be badly hit. The message is don’t come on holiday please. That applies to all Scottish islands.”