Highland beauty spot Glen Affric targeted by reckless campers who hacked down trees, left the site looking like ‘disaster area’ and set a campfire despite ‘extreme’ wildfire warning, says shocked Forestry and Land Scotland officers
Glen Affric avoided a devastating wildfire by “pure luck” after grotesquely irresponsible campers hacked down trees and left their makeshift campsite like a “disaster area”.
Loads of camping equipment, 50 empty glass bottles, and “a whole lot of litter” were left behind by the grossly irresponsible group - who also set an open camp fire going despite an ‘extreme’ wildfire risk and widespread warnings to visitors not to do so.
Furious forestry chiefs have now condemned their selfish actions and shared pictures of the extensive mess they left behind.
They have urged people to show respect for the environment when visiting the outdoors and have slammed the “blatant disregard” shown to fire warnings - amid a long dry and sunny spell that has left vegetation tinder dry.
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) visitor services ranger, Sandra Reid, was among those making fresh calls for visitors to respect, protect and enjoy the outdoors responsibly.
Describing the scene left behind by the rogue campers in Glen Affric, she said: “It was a disaster area. It looks like a weekend outing with everything left behind such as tarpaulin awning, camping gear and a whole lot of litter.
“We counted 50 glass bottles as we cleared up, including empty alcohol bottles.
“Six trees were cut down mostly to serve as supports for the awning but, with a campfire on the go, someone might have thought to try and use some of it as fuel.
“We understand people want to get out and enjoy the countryside, especially in this spell of weather and in one of Scotland’s most beautiful locations, but there is no excuse for this sort of antisocial behaviour.
“The littering and vandalism is bad and, with the blatant disregard of warnings against campfires, it is pure luck that things were not much worse.”
FLS is urging everyone to adhere to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and to always follow local guidance.
It also advocates use of camping stoves or gas barbecues and cautions against campfires and disposable barbecues as stray sparks or embers are enough to start a wildfire that can spread very quickly and become a major threat to human life, wildlife biodiversity and property.
Cigarettes must be properly and safely extinguished.
Deadwood is important for biodiversity and is not for burning and freshly cut trees will also not burn.
Anyone spotting a wildfire should call 999 immediately.
