Recently, I and others like me, have become more and more aware of a problem blighting one of the ‘jewels in the crown' of South Kintyre. I think that this is an issue that needs to be addressed urgently, and before the harm currently being done becomes irreparable.
In a nutshell, the amount of refuse blatantly left behind, dangerous fires being lit, and downright vandalism that is now occurring on Beinn Ghulean, and its surrounding area, is unacceptable.
Over the years, we as Campbeltonians have probably became almost immune to the charms of this superb little hill; after all, we see it almost every day of our lives, it is intrinsically tattooed into our psyche. In layman's terms, most of us essentially take it for granted.
You may have watched the 'shoulders' on a Summers evening, the sun setting over the Atlantic casting a deep pink glow, beautifully illuminating the heather, and high rocky outcrops. Or, conversely, you observe on a winters day, as the snow falls, and slowly the steep dull brown and green slopes are transformed into something almost Alpine, a summit that appears far higher than its modest 1154 feet.
Perhaps you may look upwards on some misty Spring or Autumn morning, the whole hill enshrouded, seemingly invisible, until suddenly one, or both of the twin summit peaks breaks through, piercing the white nothingness with its vital, familiar outline.
Occurrences we have all seen, and would scarce pass comment upon, but to someone from perhaps, the south of England, or just a less attractive area of Scotland, an awe inspiring, even magical sight.
It actually looks fantastic from almost anywhere in the town, but look a little closer, and all is not what it seems.
Its wildlife too is something to be cherished.
As someone with a keen interest in this topic, and one who often uses Beinn Ghulean and the moorland area beyond, for my own selfish purposes, I can vouch for this first hand. On the hill itself a huge variety of bird-life can be found, including: Golden Eagles, Raven, Red and Black Grouse, Hen Harrier, Short eared Owl, Barn Owl, Peregrine Falcon, and many more.
Even on the lower slopes, amongst others: Crossbill, and Siskin, Bullfinch, Coal Tits, Buzzards, and Sparrowhawk, are all relatively common. Tawny owl, and occasionally Woodcock, Moorhen and Snipe can also be found. A rich diversity of bird-life indeed, and its not just the birds. Roe and Sika Deer are seen and heard regularly, as are foxes, and Hares; and I know for a fact that Crosshill loch and its out-flowing burns have Otters, arguably only transient Otters, but they are there, and all within half a mile of Campbeltown.
So, we have all this beauty, and diversity of wildlife right on our doorstep. Why then, do certain (apparently) local people feel the need to leave literally hundreds of potentially dangerous plastic, and glass bottles? Why do they feel the need to cut down, or maim healthy young trees, or destroy Forestry Commission benches and bridges? Why do they see fit to set large areas of Gorse and bracken aflame every Spring when the weather improves, and they decide visiting Beinn Ghulean is once again a good idea? It has to stop, and it has to stop now.
On my first walk on the hill this year, I observed with sadness, and not a little anger, many instances of human rubbish strewn around the hill. A lot of this detritus seems to be empty plastic bottles, once containing the high energy drinks favoured by Athletes.
Now, I am not for a second laying the blame solely on the doorstep of the cyclists, or the hill-walkers, but someone is responsible for this, and the undeniable fact that the start of the ‘red route' on the higher slopes of the hill is one of the worst affected areas must mean that some members of the local Mountain biking community have to take at least part of the blame. Rather than throwing the used bottles under the nearest dead tree, which would seem to be the given for the more unaware amongst this group, perhaps it would be a better idea to place them back into your backpack, and dispose of them when you get home. Surely this isn't too much trouble?
Then we have the benches provided on the most scenic areas of the hill by the Forestry commission. Time and again, they are vandalised, broken up, used for firewood, or even just ripped straight out of the ground, and thrown down the hillside. Latterly this has also happened to some of the bridges that span Beinn Ghuleans many little burns. What must the tourists think?
Lower down, Crosshill loch has long been an area favoured by campers. The South eastern end, locally known to some as ‘The Peninsula' has become an absolute mess of bottles, plastic bags, used toilet paper and worse. Fences have been destroyed, young native trees felled, or mutilated, and as mentioned before, large areas of Gorse, Bracken, and grassland have been burned completely. When the people responsible set these fires in the Springtime, do they realise that there are small birds nesting in these bushes? Do they realise that many smaller mammals, and amphibians are roasted alive because they just aren't quick enough to escape? Do they care?
Last Summer I personally cleared an area of rubbish lower on the hill after a young party of weekend campers had left.
They left the tent, many empty alcohol bottles, the obligatory used toilet paper, and various other odds and ends strewn over a large area. Unbeknown to these individuals, as they drank their cider, and ripped whinbushes to pieces to further fuel the ‘campfire’, a few feet away, one of Britain’s rarest and most protected birds had an active nest. I would not be at all surprised if this Spring, these birds do not return to this spot because of the disturbance they received over that weekend.
We have been lucky in that the Forestry Commission have provided a hill that in latter years only had one real ‘route’ to the upper slopes, with many superb paths. Crossing burns is now easy, when in the past, in some instances, it used to be downright dangerous.
You can walk your dog safely without worrying about traffic, or livestock. You can sit and have a picnic with your family, whilst drinking in a quite superb view. You can us the brilliant Mountain biking tracks, well maintained by the more responsible local enthusiasts. And like me, you can wonder at the fantastic local wildlife. It all costs us absolutely nothing, it’s there anytime we want it. Please, let’s try and appreciate it a little more.
The three images above show the bench at the top of the trail, ripped out the ground, and apparently set on fire.
Above shows all the bottles and cans at the beginning of the ''red'' mountain bike trail.
Above shows the bridge on the lower trail, recently the handrails have been renewed, and already they have been vandalised, as the insert shows.
Above, shows the burnt, and basically destroyed fence, and surrounding vegetation, on the south east corner of crosshill loch.
Above, Same area, littered with fires, glass beer bottles plastic cutlery crisp bags,etc.
Above shows a F.C bench lower on the hill, destroyed, and a long way from where it should be
Above shows another bench that has been at the beginning of the trail since it was opened, recently ripped out, and thrown down the hillside.
