Forestry group slam 'mindless vandalism' as campsite trashed and trees cut

Scotland’s forestry body has issued a plea to the public after piles of rubbish were dumped in a forest, a nature reserve was trashed, and ancient trees were cut down.

Forestry and Land Scotland has noted several incidents of vandalism and fly-tipping at urban sites around the country.

It comes amid a recent bout of warm and dry weather, which has seen visitors head to woodlands and beauty spots around the country.

An abandoned ‘camp’ was also discovered at Glen Affric, with the remains of a fire and freshly cut ancient trees discovered.

It comes following an incident of fly-tipping at the entrance to Tyrebagger near Blackburn, and there were also incidents at Countesswells car park.

Rubbish was strewn, and six trees were found to have been cut down at Glen Affric. Forestry Land Scotland via Supplied

“This mindless vandalism and anti-social behaviour is out of order and totally unacceptable,” area visitor services manager Fiona Robertson said.

“We’ve spent around £6,000 this year on path repairs and fly-tipping clean-up in Tyrebagger alone, money that should be going towards maintaining and improving our forests.

“Our forests are there for everyone to enjoy, and some people have a blatant disregard for anyone else but themselves.”

“What is especially galling is that in less than a week after finally being able to re-open the Countesswells car park and forest after three years of closure, we had someone fly-tipping,” Fiona added.

In Glen Affric, a National Nature Reserve home to the ancient Caledonian Forest, teams found an abandoned campsite full of rubbish with six trees cut down.

“It was an absolute disaster area. It looks like a weekend outing, but everything was just left there. A tarpaulin awning, camping gear and a whole lot of rubbish – we counted 50 glass bottles as we cleared it up,” said visitor services ranger Sandra Reid.

“The littering and vandalism is bad and, with the blatant disregard of warnings against campfires, we can count ourselves very lucky that things were not much worse.”

Forestry and Land Scotland thanked the majority of visitors who “remained respectful of the outdoors”, but have urged the public not to use campfires or disposable barbecues during their visits.

It comes amid a spate of wildfires that have devastated parts of Scotland during the warm weather.

You can report fly tipping and illegal vehicular access to enquiries@forestryandland.gov.scot or through Police Scotland by dialling 101. Anyone spotting a wildfire should call 999 immediately.