Abusing the beauty of our national park

What is spelled out in black and white today by the custodians of our treasured outdoor spaces is that there is a nettle to be grasped. The numbers recorded in the Cairngorms National Park Authority’s frank assessment of the situation facing the area are truly frightening.

Dozens and dozens of casually abandoned camp fires dealt with by firefighters and rangers – sometimes many across different locations on the same night.

Sack upon sack of rubbish left behind without a thought for how it will be safely disposed of, diverting volunteers from other vital work.

If the impact of the sudden arrival of large numbers of unexpected visitors to our outdoor spaces reads badly enough on paper though, in pictures it is more arresting still.

Whether within the park or in other protected spaces such as the Loch Maree Islands reserve, charred remains show just how some visitors – inexperienced and ignorant at best, wilfully irresponsible at worst – risk wreaking irreparable damage to our natural heritage.

So it is right that the authorities should draw up urgent action plans to tackle the developing “hotspots” of anti-social behaviour.

Not in any way to take away peope’s rights to enjoy the richness of our environment but rather to make sure they only do so responsibly.

“Dozens of casually abandoned campfires– many across different locations on the same night”