Police called to forest to deal with large gathering

Walkers, mountain bikers and 4×4 drivers have been warned to stay away from a forest as police respond to a large gathering.

Officers were called to Forest of Ae in Dumfries and Galloway at around 12.40am on Sunday.

Police remain in attendance and are engaging with those present.

The force said its approach throughout the pandemic has been to “engage with the public” and encourage compliance with the coronavirus restrictions, however officers “will not hesitate” to use enforcement powers as a last resort.

A police spokesman said: “Around 12.40am on Sunday, May 30, police received a report of a large crowd gathering within the Forest of Ae near to Dumfries.

“Officers remain in attendance and are engaging with those present.

“Police Scotland’s approach throughout the pandemic has been to engage with the public, explain the legislation and encourage compliance, but our officers will not hesitate to use our enforcement powers as a last resort.”

The forest, located between Nithsdale and Annandale, has a variety of mountain bike trails which were built as part of Forestry and Land Scotland’s 7stanes project.

Forestry and Land Scotland said an event was due to be held within the forest on Sunday, but has advised visitors to stay away from the area.

⚠️ Forest of Ae Incident ⚠️

Due to an ongoing incident in the Forest of Ae in Dumfries and Galloway, @policescotland have requested visitors to avoid the forest and trails today. This includes mountain bikers, walkers, and 4×4 drivers for an event scheduled there today.
— Forestry and Land Scotland (@ForestryLS) May 30, 2021

A Forestry and Land Scotland spokesperson posted on Twitter: “Due to an ongoing incident in the Forest of Ae in Dumfries and Galloway, Police Scotland have requested visitors to avoid the forest and trails today.

“This includes mountain bikers, walkers, and 4×4 drivers for an event scheduled there today.”