Careless visitors causing chaos at TV beauty spot
A BEAUTY spot is being swamped with rubbish and parked cars – after appearing on film, TV shows and online videos.
Locals have raised concerns over visitors’ behaviour at the Devil’s Pulpit, off the A809, near Killearn, Stirlingshire.
Mountain rescue teams have said they are regularly called out to the site and have urged visitors to take proper precautions when heading there.
The Devil’s Pulpit has featured in TV shows such as the popular Outlander series as well as Hollywood film The Eagle.
And the number of visitors could be about to rocket as the secluded gorge features in new movie King Arthur, which is due for release this week.
Farmer David Young, who owns the land where the Devil’s Pulpit is located, said numerous film and TV shows have been shot there in the past but it has only been in recent years that visitor numbers have become dangerous.
He said: “Last Sunday there were 44 cars present on the A809 and the B834 including the parking area adjacent to the junction.
“That’s an awful lot of people going in.”
The issue was also raised at Killearn Community Council recently with one resident quoted as saying: “We believe that significant dangers are arising for motorists and also for people walking on the road from cars parked at some distance.”
Mr Young said the films and TV shows do not make mention of the glen or Devil’s Pulpit. He said it is only when the 70ft gorge is publicised widely, especially on social media, that there is a huge influx of visitors – a “significant minority” of which cause problems.
David said he and his family have been subjected to abusive language from some visitors and have encountered human waste as well as people lighting fires, cutting trees and camping.
Earlier this month, a woman had to be rescued from the gorge after she descended into it but couldn’t get out.
Stirling Council said it is working with local police to identify how to mitigate parking issues.
A spokesman fo r Po li c e Scotland said officers would take action against vehicles parked da n g e ro us l y o r causing an obstruction.