A chainsaw has been burnt and left on a busy Edinburgh beach with residents condemning the 'irresponsible' behaviour.
One local came across the burnt out mess on Granton Beach on Sunday and reported it as fly tipping to the council, saying she wanted to move it out harm's way but it was too heavy and sharp.
A picture taken shows the chainsaw black from the flames and surrounded with burnt rubble. The sharp blade of the machine is left exposed in an area that is popular with dog walkers and children, especially on weekends.
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Karen Worrall, who found the chainsaw and reported it, said it was "very random" and the person who left it should be "ashamed."
She said: "When I saw it (with my husband) a dog came bounding over to sniff it, so we steered him away so he didn't get cut and told the owner, and warned the other few people on the beach or walking down to it as we stayed for a wee while trying to figure the best way to get it disposed of safely.
"We saw two dogs run straight for it to sniff it, as I guess burnt chainsaw is a new smell for them! So warned dog walkers who were there and one family with little children too.
"I posted asking for advice on who to contact to dispose of it, as it could be very dangerous, and got advice quickly from several locals. Their suggestions were to report it on the fly tipping form for Edinburgh Council, which my husband did. The other suggestion was to phone the police on 101.
"We realised that the council would likely not see the form until Monday, so we called the police on 101 as well and they said they'd send someone over to check it out and remove it. That was at around 4pm yesterday, so I assume the police have removed it by now."
Karen added that it could have resulted in a serious incident if a dog or child got close enough to the sharp end of the chainsaw, saying the act of leaving it in such an open and public place was "selfish."
She continued: "I'd say it is potentially very dangerous, as the beach - and any beach or public place - is popular with families walking, including with small children, plus popular with dog walkers. And we saw two dogs beeline towards it, so it could easily hurt them.
"Whoever put it there - as it was burnt in a fire put, so it made a deliberate irresponsible, selfish act and littering (there were several empty Red Bull cans left right beside it too)."
Police Scotland has been approached for comment.
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