The “reckless” dumping of 400 gallons of oil near Perth has been condemned by an environmental watchdog.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) hopes members of the public may hold the key to tracing the culprits who abandoned 90 drums of oil at the side of a quiet country road between the A9 and Tibbermore.
Local MSP Liz Smith said the incident could have had serious environmental repercussions.
She added: “I have been shocked at the increase in the number of constituents who have contacted me regarding the illegal dumping of waste, particularly at passing points on rural roads.
“I would appeal to anyone who has seen a significant number of oil drums recently move from a location near them to contact Sepa or Crimestoppers.
“Someone in the local community must have information.”
Environment protection officer Andrew Simpson echoed these concerns and said the oil, which is thought to be cooking oil, was being analysed.
“While any form of fly-tipping is a serious offence, the reckless dumping of liquids, whether it is cooking oil or chemicals, can have a significant impact on the local environment,” he added.
Sepa officers attended the scene on January 31 following a report of fly-tipping via the Dumb Dumpers hotline.
The total volume of oil dumped in a verge was estimated to be around 400 gallons, some of which had leaked.
Fortunately the leakage was deemed to be minimal and contained in the confines of a ditch which does not run off into any watercourses.
The majority of the oil drums were in red and blue cardboard boxes marked KTC Cooking Oil. The others were silver and marked Brakes.
Sepa is urging anyone who might have noticed suspicious activities in the area, or business owners who recognise the description of the oil drums, to call Sepa’s Perth office on 01738 627989 or the Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.