Plea to help stop vandals

Many of us enjoyed getting outside during the recent hot and dry weather, as summer approaches we’re asking visitors to please respect, protect and enjoy the outdoors. 

You can do this by following the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and always follow local guidance.

We have seen an increase in anti-social behaviour across the country after our local teams witnessed a string of vandalism and fly tipping to our urban sites around Aberdeen, and discovered an abandoned ‘camp’ at Glen Affric, which included the remains of a fire and freshly cut trees.  

“This mindless vandalism and anti-social behaviour is out of order and totally unacceptable," says Area Visitor Services Manager Fiona Robertson.

We’ve spent around £6000 this year on path repairs and fly tipping clean-up 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,” adds Fiona.  

“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,” said Fiona.

Meanwhile in Glen Affric, a National Nature Reserve home to some of the best examples of ancient Caledonian Forest left in the country, our teams found an abandoned campsite full of garbage 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,” adds Sandra.

We thank the vast majority of people who enjoy responsible visits, but we’re reminding people to please respect the outdoors by not using campfires or disposable barbecues during prolonged dry periods. Also to be cautious when using camping stoves as stray sparks or embers are enough to start a wildfire that can spread very quickly and become a major threat to life, biodiversity, and property.

How you can help

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.