Balmoral hits out over anti-social wild campers on estate

THE Queen’s private Scottish estate has accused wild campers of littering and disrespecting Balmoral.

The estate’s rangers criticised campers for leaving an array of haphazard tents and rubbish – all pitched around a fire with tree branches.

“Please camp responsibly and leave no trace! Not like this group,” wrote the estate.

“This was found this morning. Hopefully they will return and tidy up.”

Followers on social media were furious, describing the scene as “diabolical” and “absolutely clueless”.

“Unfortunately it’s all so cheap & disposable these days, that once-a-year campers / festival goers think nothing of just leaving / dumping it for somebody else to clear up & throw away,” wrote one.

While another added: “Seriously??? All that gear dumped – people never cease to amaze me.”

After self-isolating for the last four months at Windsor Castle, the Queen, 94, and Prince Philip, 99, are expected to move to Balmoral next month for the annual summer retreat.

There, they will create a new “bubble” of staff although visitors will still not be able to get too close.

The Mountain Bothies Association recently announced that two vital shelters on the estate have been locked – at least one due to “irresponsible” behaviour.

It came just days after Balmoral hit out at wild toileting on the 50,000-acre estate.

The MBA maintains about 100 shelters for walkers in some of the remoter parts of the UK, though they are currently closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In May, the MBA also warned over Glas Allt Shiel bothy near Lochnagar “due to recent misuse, despite it being officially closed”.

Earlier this month, Balmoral staff took to social media to post pictures of toilet wipes dumped even next to monuments on the estate and warn about wild toileting.

“Disappointed to see so many wipes discarded on the estate today. Next to paths and monuments. Please remember there are no public toilets open for miles around at the moment,” wrote the Balmoral rangers.

The concerns about the amount of litter come in the same week that the body that represents Scotland’s climbers and hillwalkers hit out at “dirty campers” who give outdoor enthusiasts a bad name.

Mountaineering Scotland said it was “concerned” about recent reports from across the country of groups of informal campers “whose anti-social behaviour and littering threatens to undermine the activities of the many people who enjoy camping responsibly”.

It said it had hit out after large groups took to the glens and loch sides, flouting coronavirus public health advice “and causing nuisance and frustration for rural communities”.

“This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable and we are calling for more effective public information to educate people about their responsibilities under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, as well as their rights, along with a multi-agency approach to work with communities on local