AN emergency shelter at the summit of Ben Nevis has been found trashed with litter.
Iain Cameron, a Scottish author and mountaineer, shared an image to social media of the scene – which showed empty beer cans, cigarettes and mouldy food.
It has led to calls for visitors to respect the UK’s highest mountain.
“There is an emergency shelter on top of Ben Nevis, invaluable for injured or exhausted walkers to get out of the weather,” Cameron said whilst sharing the post.
“This is how it looked yesterday. Beer cans, abandoned rucksack, cigarette packets, mouldy food… I despair sometimes.”
There is an emergency shelter on top of Ben Nevis, invaluable for injured or exhausted walkers to get out of the weather. This is how it looked yesterday. Beer cans, abandoned rucksack, cigarette packets, mouldy food… I despair sometimes. pic.twitter.com/OXfVUuNVQJ
— Iain Cameron (@theiaincameron) September 19, 2026
Local MSP Andrew Baxter has urged those visiting to “respect the mountain”.
“It’s very disappointing to hear that the emergency shelter has been left in such a state. People ought to know better. It makes it a less pleasant place for everyone,” he added.
“I would urge all visitors to respect the mountain and take your waste home.
“Incidents like this are the reason the council is having to invest in countryside rangers but we shouldn’t have to spend money educating people to take their rubbish home with them or having to clear up their message. It should just be common sense.”
We reported last year on how a group of tourists apologised after burning furniture in a 200-year-old Highland bothy amid fears they would freeze to death. The four men from England travelled to Strathan, in Sutherland, for a hike last year.
Known only as George, Tom, Niall and James, they came ill-prepared for the trek – including some wearing trainers and no backpack, and just one bag of logs. They eventually sought refuge in a 200-year-old bothy according to the Sunday Mail, and were reportedly "not in good shape" and had "almost fully fallen into cold water".
Amid fears they would get hypothermia, the men started burning furniture in the bothy in an effort to keep warm – causing extensive damage.
