Highland Police Scotland officers confirm regular patrols of Glen Affric amid hunt for selfish campers who sparked fury from shocked community after ‘disaster area’ left on Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin island

Police have appealed for help tracing reckless Glen Affric wild campers who sparked fury after hacking down several trees, fly-tipped all of their gear and rubbish and set an open fire going in the middle of an extreme wildfire warning.

Officers have confirmed that they are investigating and that patrols of the area are "continuing" after the vandalism and fly-tipping was reported to police by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS).

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: On Monday, April 7, we received a report of damaged caused in Glen Affric.

"Enquiries have been carried out but those responsible have not been traced. Regular patrols are continuing in the area.

"Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number of 2527 of Monday. April 7."

FLS said the campers had left the mess on a small island close to the shore in Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin.

When news of the campers’ grotesquely irresponsible actions first emerged, FLS visitor services ranger, Sandra Reid, described the mess as looking like a “disaster area” and said it was sheer luck that the campers’ irresponsible actions hadn’t caused a devastating wildfire.

Six trees had been felled by the campers, who also set an open camp fire. Dozens of glass bottles were also left strewn around - which themselves also pose a fire risk due to lensing effects that can focus the sun’s rays onto vegetation.

“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,” she said.

“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.

Anyone who saw them, or can help identify them, should contact police quoting the incident number.