Scots mountaineers pitch in with campaign against 'dirty camping'

Scotland’s mountaineers are pitching in with a campaign against the growth of what they call ‘dirty camping’.

Mountaineering Scotland said most hill-goers leave little or no trace when they wild camp, but the increase in problem camping at some locations needs action, it added.

The organisation, which represents climbers, hillwalkers, mountaineers and ski-tourers north of the border, is calling for a multi-agency approach to work with communities on local management solutions, along with a public information campaign to educate people about their responsibilities as well as their rights.

Dirty campers are causing problems by leaving rubbish, fire damage and even whole campsites in their wake.

In a summer which has seen the problem of dirty camping becoming increasingly common in rural hotspots across the country, Mountaineering Scotland’s access and conservation officer Davie Black said: “Antisocial camping can and should be dealt with. Hotspots for dirty camping are usually known to local authorities.

“We call for all those who are concerned about this to come up with local management plans that identify the problem and its causes, and identify the resources needed to tackle it.

“There is already legislation covering anti-social activity. What we need is coordination of resources to enforce it.”

Mountaineering Scotland said roadside camping is where the problem is worst, where people pitch camp close to where their car is parked, and leave behind plastic and glass, burnt ground and even camping kit and human waste.