Locals have hit out after wild campers left a “disgusting” mess at an Angus beauty spot over the weekend.
Human waste was among the items left on the shores of Backwater Reservoir, on the outskirts of Kirriemuir.
The site, along with nearby Lintrathen Loch, supplies drinking water for 300,000 Scottish Water customers across Tayside.
‘Foul trail of debris’
Gavin Ferguson, water bailiff at Backwater Reservoir and Lintrathen Loch, and fishing club president at Lintrathen, says he was shocked at the level of mess left behind.
He said: “The mess on the shores of the reservoir this weekend is truly disgusting – I’m fuming.
“Sadly we have seen a build-up again of so-called wild campers both here and at Lintrathen in recent weeks.
“They pitch up and then leave a foul trail of debris in their wake.
“There is soiled toilet tissue lying around as well as the remains of food containers, camping gear and a bonfire.”
Gavin says the mess is ruining the environment and causing a health hazard.
“I went up on Sunday night because someone said they had seen smoke,” he said.
“I was shocked at what I found. Bonfires here could so easily lead to a major fire as there are still a lot of fallen trees after the storms.
“The waste also goes into the reservoirs. We used to have a pair of otters and we had pine martins but they have completely disappeared because of the human traffic we are seeing.”
Lintrathen resident Frances Fleming, who runs Peel Farm Coffee and Craft Shop, says issues started cropping up during the first Covid lockdown.
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She said: “We initially had talks with Angus Council and Scottish Water to see what could be done about this.
“That really came to nothing so several of us are now asking for further talks to try to address this issue.
“We have no issue with people enjoying the countryside here but they must act responsibly, not leave a mess and take all their rubbish home with them.
“For many of us, this is our home, and it’s dreadful to see the mess left behind by these campers.”
A spokesperson for Scottish Water said: “We want reservoirs like Backwater and Lintrathen to be places that are available for everyone to visit and enjoy.
“The great majority of visitors show respect for the environment and for the people who live and work locally, as well as for others who enjoy visiting to relax or exercise.
“It is deeply disappointing that the behaviour of a minority continues to cause problems for everyone else.
“When enjoying the outdoors, including when camping, it is totally unacceptable to leave a mess behind for others to clean up – the goal should be to leave no trace.
“Scottish Water is continuing to run our Respect Our Reservoirs campaign to highlight the vital responsibilities that come with the right of access to the countryside that we all enjoy.”
Fines of up to £40,000
Angus Council says dirty camping is “harmful, disrespectful and illegal”.
A spokesperson added: “We will investigate and dispose of fly-tipping on council ground and, where items are fly-tipped on private ground, we undertake inquiries to try to find those responsible.
“We can issue fixed penalty notices of £200 for fly-tipping and courts can impose a penalty of up to £40,000.”
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