Ghillie threatened by wild campers with axe during loch party

An Angus ghillie claims he was threatened by axe-wielding wild campers during a party at a local beauty spot.

Gavin Ferguson, water bailiff and fishing club president at Lintrathen Loch, near Kirriemuir, said the incident happened when he asked the campers to clear up their mess.

The loch is managed by Scottish Water and is the source of the water supply for 300,000 people in Tayside.

Last month, it was reported that wild campers had been causing mayhem at the loch, polluting it with human waste and leaving piles of rubbish behind.

As well as his recent run-in with campers, Gavin was forced to clear up dozens of empty drink bottles and bags of human excrement at the weekend after another gathering in a gazebo, which was also left behind.

Gavin said: “Two weeks ago there were more than 28 individual campsites on the banks of the loch with about 100 campers.

“When I approached them to ask if they would take their rubbish home with them, I was threatened with an axe.

“This past weekend I reckon around 40 people were taking part in a party in the gazebo.”

He said as well as leaving huge amounts of rubbish behind, the campers had even taken to using a chainsaw to cut down trees and remove fences and hedges.

Councillor Julie Bell said she had spoken to the police about the concerns and was told officers would not hesitate to take action against the campers if necessary.

She said: “Leaving litter and the amounts of rubbish we’re seeing here is unacceptable.

“I completely understand why members of the community might be daunted at the prospect of tackling campers themselves and I would urge people to make sure they keep themselves safe.

“We have been informed that the police will not hesitate to enforce the law against the small minority who put the health of their wider communities at risk.”