Thoughtless walkers leave all this mess

Volunteers have been hard at work clearing trees, mending paths and picking up litter at Brodick country park.

This year’s first Thistle Camp working holiday group were on the island last week and began clearing rhododendron out of Merkland Wood.

They then spent two days replacing a flight of steps on Dan’s Walk. It was tough but rewarding work: demolishing the old steps, bashing in stobs to retain the new treads, dealing with big rocks in the way of construction, barrowing gravel up a slippery slope, digging up turfs for landscaping, building a water bar and digging a long ditch for better drainage, but the result looks brilliant.

The merry band then headed up Goatfell to clear the drains on the path and pick up litter. What a bonny day they had for it. The nice weather meant the hill was very busy with walkers. Hopefully, everyone out yesterday took their litter home – it was pretty sad to have to collect lots of it all the way from the summit to the forest, including a frying pan.

But volunteering never stops at the country park. While the Thistle Camp had a well-earned day off, the next generation of volunteers donned their waterproofs and wellies to get stuck into some rhodie bashing at the Ryden Trail.

The P7 pupils of Hayocks Primary School in Stevenston scoffed at the torrential conditions to give a huge helping hand with the woodland management programme.

A great day’s work and good messy fun. Thanks, pals, well done and hurry back.

The bags of rubbish collected from Goatfell, including the frying pan.

Volunteers relax after their hard work repairing the steps on Dan’s Walk.

Clearing rhododendron in Merkland Wood.

The Thistle Camp volunteers with their shovels at the top of Goatfell.

The young volunteers from Hayocks Primary get to work in the rain.

The volunteers are busy as hillwalkers make their way up Goatfell.

Picking up litter on their way up Goatfell.