Influx of ‘dirty campers’ results in three calls to fire crews in 24 hours

Locals living near Loch Morlich in the Cairngorms have grown frustrated after an influx of “dirty campers” which resulted in three calls for the fire service in just over 24 hours at the weekend.

Around 30 campfires were extinguished on Friday night by firefighters from Aviemore. Residents reported in excess of 55 tents along the shore.

Firefighters were also forced to return twice on Saturday evening, with a further 25 campfires doused with water.

Locals – who fear for the landscape and their homes should any of the campfires spark a blaze – have described the management of visitors to the area as “spineless”, calling on landowner Forestry and Land Scotland to “stop burying its head in the sand and deal with the situation”.

Duncan Ferguson said: “It is the worst weekend I have ever seen here.

“There is not one layby or car park or space that isn’t occupied by a campervan or a tent. It is not wild camping. It’s dirty camping.

“People are using the woods to go to the toilet. It is an environmental health problem.

“There is a lack of facilities but, more importantly, there is a lack of respect for the people and the local environment.”

Mr Ferguson has said excrement in wooded areas was clearly visible on Saturday, adding: “Management of the people who come here needs to be undertaken with a stronger approach.

“The buck should stop with Forestry and Land Scotland. They need to stop burying their head in the sand and deal with the situation.”

The chaos comes after calls were made last week for the Glenmore Campsite to be reopened to prevent litter at beauty spots.

Mr Ferguson added: “All that has happened this year is they have set a precedent that it is OK to come and camp on the beach.”

A spokesman for Forestry and Land Scotland said: “We are equally disappointed as local residents about the anti-social behaviour being demonstrated and we have repeatedly asked that members of the public respect the countryside, local communities and each other and to take their litter home.

“We have no powers to police their behaviour and would advise that anti-social behaviour be reported to Police Scotland.”