The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Overnightcampers dump toilet waste
Fife villagers have hit out at camper van owners who have been repeatedly flushing the contents of their chemical toilets at a local beauty spot.
Visitors parking up for the night in the public car park at Bishop Wood in Strathkinness have dumped human waste on at least three occasions.
Now locals are calling for the area to be made inaccessible to camper vans with the introduction of a height barrier.
The woodland is enjoyed by local school and preschool groups and there are fears youngsters might accidently come into contact with the dumped human waste.
The woodland is also of significant historical importance, containing three monuments in close proximity to each other.
One is close to the site of the murder of Archbishop James Sharp, of St Andrews, in the wood at Magus Muir on May 3 1679 Covenanters looking the Sheriff of Fife.
Another is for five Covenanters, not involved in the archbishop’s murder, but who were later hanged at Magus Muir as an act of retribution.
One resident, who asked not to be named, said the people responsible for leaving the mess behind should be “ashamed of themselves”.
“It shows a complete lack of respect, not just for the local environment but also for the people who live here, and is totally unacceptable behaviour,” he said.
“We want people to visit the area and to come and enjoy the historic woodland, but we would expect them to act accordingly and certainly not flush their toilets out in a public car park.
“The area has also been a target for fly tippers in recent times which has had to be cleaned up. by for
“If the problem continues, it may be that a height barrier or some sort of evening restriction will be installed if people are intent on abusing what is otherwise a lovely place to come and walk.”
Local Lib Dem councillor Jane Ann Liston said she fully supported the community in its efforts to protect the area.
She said: “It’s hugely disappointing to see such a disregard for the community and discarding waste in this fashion is unacceptable.
“We need to find a balanced solution which will not only deter others from leaving their waste, but also not hinder those who want to visit who will respect their surroundings.”