Staycation beauty spots ‘blighted by vandals and litter’
Call for police crackdown after surge in problems
BEAUTY spots are being blighted by litter louts and vandals, politicians have warned.
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser is calling for a police crackdown on the problems as people flock to the countryside.
The most recent incidents have seen yobs damage trees, vandalise ancient ruins and leave tons of rubbish behind.
One of the most iconic sites affected in recent weeks was the recently restored sign at John o’ Groats, Caithness, which was snapped off by visitors swinging on it.
It comes as travellers to many popular holiday destinations, such as Spain, face a 14-day quarantine on their return, leading to a surge in summer staycations.
Mr Fraser, 54, a keen wild camper, said he ensures that he leaves no trace of his stays on Munro-bagging trips.
Writing in The Scotsman, he said: ‘With the closure of many official campsites due to the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions on overseas travel, it is perhaps no surprise we have seen a surge in this activity in recent weeks.
‘But that is no excuse for some of the behaviour we are witnessing. There is no one simple solution to this problem. It will require agencies to work together to identify offenders and hold them accountable.
‘It will require better information being provided to the public to advise of the legal position and what is and is not permissible. above all, it will require people to start acting responsibly… not leaving a mess.
‘When so many people claim to be proud of Scotland, it’s deeply ironic this phenomenon of dirty camping is becoming such a scourge.’
among incidents at heritage sites during lockdown, six people have been caught carrying out illegal metal detecting, and a report was made of somebody digging at the Callanish Standing Stones on Lewis.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) said no serious damage was done but archaeology could have been disturbed.
It also said it was ‘horrified’ the Castlelaw Hill Iron age fort near Penicuik, Midlothian, had been used as a toilet.
Other reported incidents included movement of grave slabs at Restenneth Priory near Forfar, angus, and graffiti and littering at Lincluden Collegiate Church in Dumfries.
Dunnottar Castle, near Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, was broken into in June and campers were found at Newark Castle near Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire. HES says setting up tents, fires and moving stones could damage sites and ‘cause us to lose pieces of our past for ever’.
Meanwhile, a petition is calling for a ‘congestion charge’ for camper vans on the 516-mile North Coast 500 route. In a matter of days, more than 3,700 people joined a Facebook group documenting problems. Local
MP Jamie Stone said: ‘The Scottish Government need to know the full force of our concerns.’
The North Highland Initiative developed the route five years ago. Chairman David Whiteford said: ‘NHI will continue working to help deliver a responsible balance between economic recovery and public safety.’
a Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Ministers are aware of a number of incidents of littering, anti-social behaviour and damage to our natural environment and are clear this behaviour is completely unacceptable and disrespectful to local communities.’
He added that on-the-spot fines could be issued for littering and anti-social behaviour such as vandalism, urinating and public drunkenness.
‘Start acting responsibly’