An Edinburgh resident say they have grown tired of an upstairs neighbour using their front garden as an ashtray.
Eilidh Montgomery, who has lived in the same flat in Gorgie for the past six years, says that their garden sanctuary is constantly filled with an antisocial neighbour’s cigarette ends.
On one occasion they had an ash tray emptied on their head as they sat in their garden.
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They said: “So, I moved in around July 2016 and the garden had some cigarette ends in it and I was told that they belonged to one of the upstairs flats in the next block.
“I didn’t do anything with the garden for the first year of living here as I was busy with changing jobs and settling in.
“I was made aware that the issue has been ongoing for at least six years and I suspect by the amount of cigarette ends, from when I first cleaned the garden, that it’s gone on for a lot longer.
“It has not stopped and continues daily. I've even had the ashtray showered over me when I’ve been sitting out in the garden. It’s absolutely disgusting!”
Eilidh says that the garden is their relaxation spot as they work in a high stress environment and that gardening has become a way to release tension and stress.
They added: “It is soul destroying to see it constantly being spoiled - it’s not just cigarette ends but it is rubbish like food packets and boxes that are also chucked out, and I’ve seen food being thrown out into the street for the seagulls and rats.
“I have spent a lot of time and money on the garden and I can’t do anything without having to put gloves on and rake around picking up the cigarette ends!
“I have not spoken to the neighbour, they appear aggressive and I’ve seen and heard them yelling at people from their window. I live on my own and do not want to put myself into a situation with an obviously unpleasant man.
“I’ve given up as it is making me so angry.”
Eilidh adds that they work on their little garden but that it is “soul destroying” that they have to clear 50-100 cigarettes every week.
