Visitors compelled to act over state of Bunessan Pier

Tourists sailing the West Coast as part of their holiday were so appalled by the state of the area around Mull's Bunessan Pier that they have contacted council officials and the area's MSP to try and get something done about it.

Audrey Baird and her husband came across the mess during an overnight anchor in July and after speaking to locals felt compelled to write to anyone who they thought would listen.

'We were deeply saddened to speak with a number of residents who told us how desperate they were to see their pier and shoreline made safe and clean and how they had struggled with littering, fly-tipping and abuse of the environment at and around the pier for many, many years,' she told The Oban Times.

'Given that we all now know how damaging plastic pollution is for people and marine animals, it is appalling this pier is being trashed to such an extent.'

Mrs Baird wrote to three councillors, Roddy McCuish, Mary-Jean Devon and Jim Lynch and to Argyll and Bute MSP Jenni Minto.

'I was told the pier is owned by the local authority,' she added.

'One of the local residents said they built a house at Bunessan a few years ago but now they're planning to move out because the environment is so compromised.

'I also understand school children help with community beach cleans and it's upsetting that some irresponsible people don't respect children's basic human right to grow up in an environment that isn't being degraded by mindless polluters.

'All the plastic and polypropylene ropes and other rubbish dumped in our seas are breaking down into tiny fragments and ending up in the fish we eat. We all need to stand up now and stop people who are creating this vast problem for current and future generations.'

The Oban Times also contacted the three councillors but at the time of writing only Councillor Jim Lynch had responded. He said: 'I have raised the issues highlighted and have contacted officers for an update.'

Jenni Minto MSP said: 'Fly tipping and littering in many different spots across Argyll and Bute has been highlighted with my office.

'I am raising this specific issue with Pippa Milne, Argyll and Bute Council Chief Executive, but I have also written to the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government to ask for a campaign targeting littering and fly tipping to be started in Argyll and Bute.'