Fears dirty camping problem is ‘out of control’ on beaches
Tougher restrictions on parking, an increased police presence and a ban on campfires are all needed immediately after community councils in Arisaig, Morar and Mallaig this week said the problem of dirty camping on local beaches might now be ‘out of control’ and starting to drive other visitors away.
So said Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes this week after a deluge of complaints from residents and community councils. Ms Forbes, also Scottish Government Finance Secretary, was responding after the Lochaber Times flagged up the latest problems, including the worrying comment from Arisaig Community Council chairman Iain Macniven, who said his community council, along with those from Morar and Mallaig were ‘becoming increasingly concerned that matters are out of control’.
Mr Macniven told the Lochaber Times: ‘The local authorities, police and other local bodies have been working tirelessly and well with us to seek to resolve issues but there is a limit to what they can do, given their powers, in the face of unprecedented levels of tourism and instances of bad behaviour.
‘These include lighting fires indiscriminately, defecating, chopping down wood for fires, illegally parking in passing places and people ‘wild camping’ a few feet from their car parked on the roadside, leaving rubbish. There have been initial discussions with Finance Minister Kate Forbes and it is essential some government action comes out of that. A significant number of locals depend on tourism for income but even they are feeling the strain, as indeed are the ‘good’ tourists who form by far the majority of visitors to the area. I know of instances of tourists abandoning their stay in the area prematurely because they couldn’t put up with the behaviour of some other tourists.’
Ms Forbes recently visited the area and says she believes the situation now warrants immediate short-term curbs, such as greater parking restrictions, increased police presence and banning campfires on beaches.
‘I have had scores of constituents get in touch with me about this and there is a very real concern over environmental damage to one of Scotland’s most beautiful landscapes and also emergency vehicle access arrangements,’ she told the Lochaber Times.
‘Over the longer term, it has been well documented and evidenced that the current roads and infrastructure are struggling to cope during the peak tourist season.
‘The recent Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund project has been a welcome addition, but it is not enough. I am aware the council, community groups and others have been proactively exploring the possibility of acquiring land locally for the purpose of making further improvements and it is unfortunate further progress has not been made. I would encourage local landowners to seriously reflect on what part they could play in helping to mitigate the continued surge in wild camping in this area and I share the community’s concern that without urgent intervention the situation will only continue to deteriorate.’
Asked if more ranger patrols were possible, a Highland Council spokesperson said: ‘The Lochaber team have three main areas to patrol: southeast Lochaber, including Glen Etive; west Lochaber, including Morar, and north Lochaber, including the Great Glen and Glen Spean. At present, resources enable us to focus the rangers’ concentration of efforts at weekends. A week-round service is not currently in practice. The council’s Access Ranger service even when fully deployed can never be in all places at all times and the council welcomes community support to address any local issues. Traffic officers regularly patrol the area and members of the public may report contraventions of the waiting and loading restrictions directly by calling 01463 239786. The Parking Services operations room is open seven days a week between 8am and 9pm.’