Tourists risk eroding island beauty spots as they create perfect Instagram pictures

Tourists visiting island beauty spots are putting them at risk of erosion by building rock formations – so they can post snaps on Instagram, conservationists have said.

Stacked pyramids of stones have appeared on Unescolisted beaches on Orkney, and at the Fairy Glen on the Isle of Skye – which recently featured in the blockbuster film The BFG.

Stone stacking, which enthusiasts describe as “meditative” and “artistic”, can also be seen on Iona, Inner Hebrides.

The trend has prompted concerns by residents and environmentalists that they could speed up erosion and destroy the habitat of wildlife living on the islands.

Dog-walker Claire Irons, 53, spotted at least 50 of the rock formations at the Fairy Glen on Uig, Isle of Skye.

The area earned its name due to a distinctive group of round grassy hills, with ponds between them.

Concerned the rocks might topple and crush her Border terrier, Treacle, Mrs Irons confronted tourists and told them to stop – but was told she was spoiling their fun.

Mrs Irons said: “It’s the first time I’ve noticed it, we don’t tend to go up that way in summer.

“There’s normally so many tourists around.

“When I went up on a dog walk, I was amazed – you couldn’t walk on the path.

“It is tourists rather than locals who do it.”

Having lived on the island for five years, Mrs Irons said she was concerned that the structure of stone walls was being destroyed by tour groups.

Mrs Irons added: “It is causing an erosion problem, the rocks are being taken from the surroundings and being taken from walls. It is a whole geological area.

“They tend to go to the coastal bit, that’s where the rock formations are.

“It is just not right – people should go there just to see the surroundings, not to build a pile of stones.

“It is on a croft, where sheep graze.

“I could be a bit cynical and suggest they go in on minibus tours and they need something to do.”

The dog owner was concerned that a rock could topple and hit her seven-and-ahalf-year-old Border terrier.

She said: “Since the BFG was

Itisjustnotright– people should go there just to see the surroundings, not to build a pile of stones. It is causing an erosion problem”

CLAIRE IRONS