The following article has appeared in The Courier and resulted in Community Council members being interviewed on the subject by the BBC. You can click on the following link to view photos of the mess created by the Dunning Glen Parties.
Dunning Glen Wild Camping Mess: Community Groups work together to find solution
Community groups in the area of the well-known beauty spot of Dunning Glen are increasing their efforts to find a solution to the disruption and the mess created by irresponsible wild campers. The area has always attracted people who enjoyed being outdoors, but the last few years have seen an increase of instances of vandalism and littering.
Sandy Morrison, chair of Fossoway Community Council explains that many locals know this beautiful area and have fond memories of days spent alongside the river Devon. ‘Nowadays,’ Sandy says, ‘it seems that large groups of predominantly younger people come out here to drink and to party. They don’t clean up their mess.’ The area is littered with cans, bottles, tent poles and other waste. Fossoway Community Council has successfully applied for a grant from Perth and Kinross Council to tidy up the area and to erect signs asking people to behave responsibly.
Litter is not the only problem. Trees and bushes are cut down for firewood. Several times fences or gates are used to burn as well, leaving livestock to escape and creating expensive damage. Local landowners and farmers have joined the initiative to curb this behaviour. ‘We have nothing against the occasional wild camper,’ a landowner explained, ‘but for whole groups to come down the Glen with generators and marquees, bringing large amounts of alcohol is just outrageous. There is also a real risk of fires getting out of control. So far the summer has not been very dry, but we worry when we have a dry period.’
Tayside Police is involved in this initiative. Sergeant Williams of Tayside Police is worried about possible criminal behaviour. Recently a car was found abandoned with the windows smashed in. A week later it was set on fire. During repairs on the old bridge damage was done to the scaffolding, and gates and fences have been vandalised. The Police have increased their patrols in this area. Sgt. Williams: ‘We are aware of the ongoing issues in Dunning Glen and have been working closely with our community partners to provide solutions. We are increasing our presence in the area and any person or groups of people found to have committed a crime or offence will be charged and reported to the Procurator Fiscal.’
Litter and vandalism is not the only worry. Kevin Borthwick of the Devon Angling Association explains: ‘This part of the river is very sensitive, and needs to be protected. The Glendey Burn is the last spawning tributary for the native brown trout. It flows into the river Devon just above the bridge where all the camping problems are and anything upsetting the natural balance of the river in this area could have a negative effect on the brown trout population.’
The cooperation is not limited to Perth and Kinross-shire. Central Police is also involved, as is Muckhart Community Council and Friends of the Ochils. Stuart Dean, Chair of the Friends of the Ochils and Secretary of Muckhart Community Council says: ‘Finding a permanent solution to this problem proves to be difficult. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code promotes responsible behaviour when enjoying the outdoors, but in reality there are few consequences when people behave in an irresponsible manner. Farmers and landowners have little redress and while most of them welcome walkers and campers in the Ochils, there needs to be effective ways to deal with the minority of people who keep littering and vandalising.’
Mike Barnacle, Independent Kinross-shire Member of Perth and Kinross Council states: ‘Since the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 was passed, the spirit of which I endorse, it has become clear that there are a number of issues relating to access to land and water that require to be re-examined in the light of experience, not that the Act has been in force for some time. In particular the issue of interpretation of what is meant by wild camping, when large groupings if people are involved and the need for adequate sanctions against those not taking access to private land and water in a responsible manner. I intend to work with the community in seeking that MSPs look again at the access legislation. It should not be necessary to require bye-laws to control such matters.’
Whilst it is clear that there is no quick fix for this problem, the community, in co-operation with Perth and Kinross Council, will continue to work together to find and implement solutions. Dunning Glen should be a beauty spot for all to enjoy.
