A beauty spot in Dumfries and Galloway will be trashed once again this summer if the authorities don’t take strong action, a councillor has warned.
Mid and Upper Nithsdale Councillor Andrew Wood is furious that wild campers are continuing to pile up in Mennock Pass during the holidays and leave the place a “complete mess”.
He drove past around 20 caravans and tent pitches on Easter Sunday where some of the visitors had ditched rubbish and lit wild fires.
A clapped-out caravan was also dumped at Mennock Pass last month, angering locals who are keen to preserve this nature spot between Sanquhar and Wanlockhead.
Councillor Wood said: “It’s been a problem for many years. But this year with staycations, with Covid etc, it really has taken off. I mean you’re talking about 20 units lying there.
“This is private land that belongs to Buccleuch Estate. I don’t know who supplied the two bins, but I suspect it might be the council in an effort to try and keep the place tidy.
“But they’re totally inadequate. A lot of caravans have their own toilet facilities, but some campers don’t.
“There’s also a vandalised old caravan lying there, so that’ll be for the estate to remove.
“I’m very keen now that all partners get together and look at how we can resolve this as it’ll undoubtedly get worse during the summer holidays.
“This is not solely Buccleuch Estate’s problem, this is a social problem that we need to recognise and address.”
A Facebook page called Save The Mennock Pass, which was set up to help curb littering and vandalism at the beauty spot, now has more than 1,500 followers.
Pictures of the abandoned caravan dumped on Mennock Pass and a piece of land scorched by fire were posted on the Facebook page last month.
Former Dumfries woman Morag Box commented: “And so it begins. Just totally messing up The Pass.
“No respect. Cannot visit like I used to but love this place.”
Biggar man Graeme Mclachlan added: “Unbelievable just leaving that caravan behind.”
Anna Fergusson, estate manager at Queensberry Estate owned by Buccleuch Estates, said: “Littering and vandalism on land at the Mennock Pass has been a regular occurrence in recent years, particularly during lockdown when large groups of campers would regularly congregate.
“The estate and its staff have worked tirelessly with volunteer local groups, such as Save the Mennock Pass, to clean instances of rubbish, fly-tipping, tents, barbecues and animal and human waste left behind.
“We have also been in open dialogue with Dumfries and Galloway Council and police in relation to these issues.
“These problems have been well publicised. Whilst Cllr Wood has not contacted us about this matter, we are happy to discuss the problem with him in greater detail.
“These types of incidents have been an issue across all parts of rural Scotland in recent years and ultimately, it is landowners, local communities and volunteers who meet the cost and burden of cleaning up after irresponsible behaviour.”
