Wildlife fears as rubbish left in woods

Dirty campers in Fife have come under fire after they left behind chairs and other camping equipment last weekend.

Images of Calais Wood in Dunfermline showed the gear alongside the wildlife that inhabits the park.

One local told The Courier there was also evidence of campfires as well as rubbish.

Campaigners looking to save the woods from “industrial threat” posed by developers have voiced concern over fly-tipping.

Martin Willcocks, from the Save the Calais Woods Wildlife campaign, said the issue is constant.

Locals reacting to the latest episode of dirty camping said people should consider the impact on wildlife.

“Just totally unacceptable and so near the pond as well,” one man said.

Another added: “They should take all the c*** home, in fact, don’t take it in the first place.”

A group set up to preserve the grassland at Calais Muir woods has been highlighting littering and dirty camping.

Police patrols weekend groups.

But worries about the impact of dirty camping across Scotland have led to concerns the practice could be banned.

Fans of wild camping in Perth recently said they fear Scotland could introduce a Portugalstyle ban.

Visitscotland said anyone planning a wild camping trip should familiarise themselves with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

It urges people to avoid overcrowding by moving on to another location if it is busy.

And visitors should use a stove rather than an open fire and take away their rubbish and other litter.