‘Love this place, leave no trace’ – New NTS drive to clamp down on ‘dirty campers’
People visiting Scotland’s beauty spots are being urged to be responsible and not damage, deface and defile their favourite wild places.
The message is part of a new campaign by the country’s biggest conservation charity after disturbingscenesofvandalism, toilet waste and littering were witnessed in some of the most renowned rural locations.
Fences and trees have been uprootedandusedforfirewood and land left charred by portable barbecues, while mountains of rubbish such as drinks bottles have been piling up.
There has been a big rise in careless dumping of both human and animal waste.
Livestock and wildlife have been attacked and ‘worried’ by pet dogs running loose.
Bad parking has also been having an impact on sensitive habitats and local people.
The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) is urging visitors to “love this place, leave no trace” as it seeks to encourage them and campers to minimise their impact on the landscape.
Staff at the trust have reported a rise in anti-social behaviour which it says is endangering the environment, harming local communities and having a “devastating” effect on longterm conservation projects.
A series of graphic images has been released as part of the campaign, showing some of the destruction left behind by visitors.
Popular destinations that have been seriously affected over the past year include Glencoe National Nature Reserve and Glenfinnan Monument
in the Highlands.
Emily Bryce, operations manager at the NTS reserve, said: “While the vast majority of visitors here in Glencoe and Glen Etive respect the landscape, unfortunately our ranger team spend a considerable proportion of their time dealing with those who don’t.
“Clearing up litter and human waste; repairing damage to paths, verges and fences;
addressing the impact of deer entering new woodland enclosures due to gates being left open; and discouraging inconsiderate parking when car parks are at capacity.
“These activities are all essential, but they also take our valuable time away from ongoing nature conservation projects and wildlife monitoring.”
She highlighted the importance of raising awareness of
the need to treat the landscape and rural communities with respect.
She said: “Chatting with outdoor enthusiasts and championing responsible countryside access has always been a rewarding element of a ranger’s role, and we find it makes a realdifferencewhenitcomesto reducing antisocial behaviour at busy countryside places.
“Our team have been out and
about more than ever recently – on a busy Saturday walkabout we might engage with over 400 walkers and wild campers.
“We’ve been working in partnership with our local community, neighbouring landowners and authorities to clearly signpost local facilities and develop long-term plans to sustainably accommodate visitors to the glens, with sensitively designed infrastructure improvements.
“We need your help to continue with this work and empower people with the motivation and skills to leave no trace.”
NTS is urging people to get out and visit the locations and properties it cares for responsibly.