FC charging for car parking is on a shoogley peg.
Despite the fact there is no legal requirement to pay the charge they insist on pressing on with it. When the land was taken for the construction of these forest, free public access and use was part of their founding principles.
Instead of being at loggerheads with people using this as a funding model, effort would be better directed at alternative added value ways of making money – e.g high quality maps, guided runs, showers etc.
Lets remember, a significant proportion of EU funding was acquired for this on the basis of improving health and tourism in these areas. I know they require constant upkeep too but this model of funding is unsustainable.
I’ve always thought a good idea would be a “friends of the 7stanes” membership, with some goodies, news/maps and some special offers being available to members as FC would likely get a better return.