Ben Nevis emergency shelter trashed as visitors urged to 'respect mountain'

Visitors to Ben Nevis have been urged to “respect the mountain” after an emergency shelter at the summit was trashed with litter.

Iain Cameron, a Scottish author and snow-patch researcher, made the discovery on Friday and shared a picture with his followers on social media.

The image showed empty beer cans and mouldy food items among the litter left behind by visitors to the highest mountain in the British Isles.

He wrote: “There is an emergency shelter on top of Ben Nevis, invaluable for injured or exhausted walkers to get out of the weather.

“This is how it looked yesterday.

“Beer cans, abandoned rucksack, cigarette packets, mouldy food… I despair sometimes.”

Lochaber MSP Andrew Baxter has urged visitors to the peak to “respect the mountain”.

He added: “It’s very disappointing to hear that the emergency shelter has been left in such a state. People ought to know better. It makes it a less pleasant place for everyone.

“I would urge all visitors to respect the mountain and take your waste home.

“Incidents like this are the reason the council is having to invest in countryside rangers but we shouldn’t have to spend money educating people to take their rubbish home with them or having to clear up their message. It should just be common sense.”