Tonnes of marine plastic waste were removed from the shore at Barlocco Bay near Auchencairen on Monday – by helicopter.
The airlift followed a joint effort by the Rotary clubs of Dumfries Devorgilla, Kirkcudbright and Dalbeattie, the Solway Firth Partnership, D&G Eco Warriors and other volunteers to clean up the shoreline.
Tonnes of plastic were collected by dozens of volunteers in the spring but because the bay is so remote the only way to get the bags out was by air.
A total of 29 one cubic metre heli-lift bags were filled and grouped along the beach ready for collection.
And on Monday, a helicopter on its way back north to Fife carried the bags out from the beach to skips placed in advance by Dumfries and Galloway Council in a lay-by near Auchencairn.
Charles Milroy of the Rotary Club of Dumfries Devorgilla told the News that detailed planning was required over the last few months to ensure a safe and efficient operation.
He said: “This project has caught the imagination of volunteers, environmental organisations and council staff alike.
“It has produced some excellent cross organisation working and community cooperation, proving that a multi-agency approach is very much the way forward.
“Dumfries and Galloway Council are often the target of negative comment.
“But our experience, working with the communities directorate, has been very positive and Rotary looks forward to exploring other opportunities to work with them in the future.
“The landowners at Barlocco and Rascarrel farms have afforded us every courtesy in gaining access across their land and Skyhook Helicopters have been so generous with their time.”
Laura Howieson of D&G Eco warriors said: “We have worked so hard to get to this stage of the Barlocco clean up and are delighted to be collaborating and working with the various Rotary clubs involved, Solway Firth Partnership and Dumfries and Galloway Council.
