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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Steph Brawn

Ironing board abandoned at top of Scottish mountain angers hillwalkers

AN ironing board abandoned at the top of Ben Nevis has angered hillwalkers.

It was photographed last week resting against the ruined walls of the 19th century Ben Nevis observatory and has been circulating on a Highlands Facebook page.

Household items are often carried up the UK’s highest peak as part of fundraising efforts but the John Muir Trust, which shares responsibility for its management, said the rule is "leave nothing behind".

In April, a former soldier made it to the top of the 1345m peak with a fridge on his back.

Other strange items reportedly left on Ben Nevis include a church organ, a toilet seat and a 3ft garden gnome.

It is believed those responsible may have been doing "extreme ironing" - a craze where people take ironing boards to remote locations.

The John Muir Trust, which runs volunteer litter picks on Ben Nevis, said the summit "would start to look like a Home Bargains store" if all charity walkers left their items behind.

A spokesperson added: "A lot of people raise money for great causes on Ben Nevis, and we don't want to discourage that.

"Those unfamiliar with outdoors culture don't always understand the first unwritten rule of the hills, which is leave nothing behind but your boot prints."

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