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Rangers operating across the Highlands documented thousands of instances of outdoor toileting, a surge in unsafe fires, and a rise in fly-tipping throughout the last summer, as revealed in a recent report. The presence of syringes at various locations led to the provision of sharps disposal boxes to safely manage the disposal of these hazardous items. Highland Council has expressed concern over the persistent irresponsible behaviour occurring in some of the region’s most frequented rural spots.
Over the summer period, eighteen rangers conducted a total of 1,755 patrols across different Highland areas, engaging with over 22,600 individuals. While the majority of these encounters were positive, 269 were reported as negative interactions. The report emphasizes that although these represent a small fraction of overall contacts, such episodes can be distressing, uncomfortable, and at times threatening for the rangers involved.
The rangers documented 6,428 cases of outdoor toileting, with nearly 1,862 incidents reported in North Skye, Coigach, and Assynt – areas where the scarcity of public toilets may contribute to the problem. They also found 45 abandoned tents, predominantly scattered in Wester Ross and around Loch Ness. Litter collection efforts resulted in 2,100 filled bags, consistent with numbers from previous years, while 638 cases of waste dumping and fly-tipping were recorded. The most significant concentrations of fires, litter, and discarded tents appeared in East Lochaber and Loch Ness, with increases also noted in North Lochaber and South Skye. Reported blackwater dumping from portable toilets increased from 126 cases in 2023 to 207 last year, particularly impacting Wester Ross, Assynt, the Black Isle, and Mid Ross.
Ranger logs show a total of 2,681 fire-related marks, and they had to extinguish 236 unsafe fires, mostly concentrated in East Lochaber and Loch Ness. Philip Waite, the outdoor access manager who authored the report, mentioned plans to introduce signage in frequently affected areas to curb repeated fire usage. Councillor Ken Gowans, chair of Highland Council’s economy and infrastructure committee, described the ongoing incidents of poor behaviour as “disappointing.” He stressed the importance of educating visitors about the need to respect the Highland environment and its local communities. He further highlighted the critical role rangers play every day by clearing abandoned campsites, collecting litter, putting out unsafe fires, and supporting compliance at car parks, all contributing to the protection of landscapes and fostering a more responsible visitor experience
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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