Weekend ‘invasion’ of Elie nearly caused a pollution disaster.

FIFE: Volume of visitors backs up sewerage system at public toilets

A picturesque Fife beauty spot could have been polluted after it was besieged by wild campers, The Courier has learned.

Signs will be erected at Elie’s Ruby Bay later this week urging people not to camp on the recreational green after dozens of people descended on the area over the weekend.

Such was the volume of visitors, the public toilet sewerage system backed up due to waste, flushed wipes and sanitary towels, which caused effluent to leak from the septic tank towards the encampment.

A Fife Coast and Countryside Trust (FCCT) staff member managed to unblock the system with the help of two plumbers who were camping with their families that evening but the unsavoury episode has prompted action to avoid any repeat.

Robbie Blyth, head of operations at Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, said: “Staff have worked all weekend to make the site safe and key points have been disinfected, with all debris removed.

“The toilet block is only designed to accommodate daytime users – it was never designed to service an unofficial illegal campsite or act as a receptacle for motorhome effluent cartilages.”

Mr Blyth added this type of camping is not recognised under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, and the FCCT never give permission for members of the public to camp on recreational picnic sites and car parks it manages on behalf of Fife Council.

The site will be monitored by staff and they will liaise with Police Scotland, Fife Council and other stakeholders.

It is understood most of the campers on the site used the disabled toilet, which is available all night and operates a one-in one-out system due to its design.

Users either borrowed someone else’s key or left the door wedged open, while a number of campers reportedly used the toilet block’s walls as a makeshift urinal.

More than 50 litres of effluent had to be drained away to the septic tank on Saturday evening.

East Neuk and Landward independent councillor Linda Holt urged people who wanted to visit the area to do so but in a responsible manner, such as using licensed camp sites or caravan parks.

“It is a place for a few campervans or wild campers to stop off; it is not a free mass campsite,” she said.

“The Fife Coast and Countryside Trust are doing their best to maintain toilets and bins but they simply cannot cope with this volume of visitors.

“Covid-19 has not been eliminated and there is a clear public health risk which has been reported to the police.”

Wild campers pitched their tents at the Lady Tower and lighthouse area in Elie over the weekend.