Blighting one of the ‘jewels in the crown' of South Kintyre

[mary]

Well we are where we are and the fact is that there is no statutory responsibility for litter other than that the Council have to clean the streets. Therefore it is up to the community to deal with the problem - and I don't mean dealing with the litterers - that is another issue. What I mean is that no-one will clear up the litter unless we do. As the problem that started this thread is on Forestry Commission land, we might be able to get some help from them - but don't count on it! As for the beaches which were mentioned earlier, I have for the past 3 years organised bi-annual beach cleans in collaboration with the GRAB trust and with support from Argyll and Bute Council. There will be a spring beach clean - probably in April (so that it is before the nesting season). If those of you who feel strongly about the litter situation would like to help, you can pm me and I will let you know when the next beach clean is to take place. If anyone wishes to get involved in clearing the Ben Ghullean problems, I'm sure we could help with that too - its a matter of getting a few volunteers together and then getting support from the Forestry Commission and the Council - it can be done, but it needs to be organised - let me know if there is any interest out there or willing volunteers!

[Ship called Dignity]

There is a little bit of unfair criticism aimed towards kids on this thread when many adults will be to equally blame?

Well we are where we are and the fact is that there is no statutory responsibility for litter other than that the Council have to clean the streets. Therefore it is up to the community to deal with the problem - and I don't mean dealing with the litterers - that is another issue. What I mean is that no-one will clear up the litter unless we do. As the problem that started this thread is on Forestry Commission land, we might be able to get some help from them - but don't count on it! As for the beaches which were mentioned earlier, I have for the past 3 years organised bi-annual beach cleans in collaboration with the GRAB trust and with support from Argyll and Bute Council. There will be a spring beach clean - probably in April (so that it is before the nesting season). If those of you who feel strongly about the litter situation would like to help, you can pm me and I will let you know when the next beach clean is to take place. If anyone wishes to get involved in clearing the Ben Ghullean problems, I'm sure we could help with that too - its a matter of getting a few volunteers together and then getting support from the Forestry Commission and the Council - it can be done, but it needs to be organised - let me know if there is any interest out there or willing volunteers!

Mary - totally agree, and count me in to help. I also agree with Isa's comments with regards the shore and the mess of it. I try to clean the bit of shore in front of my house from time to time but at the moment it is terrible. All sorts of stuff washed up but your comments have reminded me that it is our responsibility. Nice to also see a dog owner has his/her responsibilities correct and lifted their dog poo and into a poop sack and then just launched it over the wall on Low Askomil - sitting in a "bush" in full view!!

[mrn]

I often walk over Bellochantuy to Lussa Loch and also Killean up to Deucheran hill and it never ceases to amaze me what is left lying about. I usually take a plastic bag and lift anything I see and think if everyone did this then there would be very litter lying about. I guess that doesn't get round the damage which is sad. Good piece and surely this is an article for the Courier?

[jimbobby]

I actually wrote the original piece.
I read the forum regularly, but I'm not a big poster, in fact I hardly ever post at all; although I do feel the need to put a ''face'' to this particular story, and perhaps add a little background to the thread.
Basically I have been walking on Beinn Ghulean almost my entire life. I've watched it change over the years, sometimes for the better, sometimes (in more recent years certainly) for the worse.
It has to be said that the biggest change, i.e. the introduction of forestry commission trees in the late seventies, has contributed positively to the wildlife found on the hill.
Areas that once contained few birds, are now thriving with the types of species that would never have been found there before.
The same is true for the Deer, and the other mammals. The trees provide shelter, and breeding locations, but ironically, there is a downside.
As I said in my original piece, because of the forest, access to the hill is now superb. The paths and the bridges make Beinn Ghulean easily reachable to those who may never have gone there before.
But perhaps this is part of the problem. Only the dedicated would climb the hill in the past. Only those truly interested in what Beinn Ghulean had to offer would have made the effort. In essence, these individuals would tend to be the sort sensitive to the needs of the area and would never litter, or set things on fire, and they certainly would never destroy property.

These days, because the hill is so easily accessed, it perhaps draws in the ‘type’ who are slightly less inclined to pick up after themselves - or slightly more inclined to destroy or burn. It sounds a little xenophobic I know, but I think essentially it's true.
I know for an absolute fact that when the weather improves in late March/early April large parties of mainly young people - who perhaps never once visited in the Winter - will descend on the hill and the loch, and leave behind all too obvious evidence of their presence; It happens every year, without fail.
Obviously parenting skills, or lack of them are an issue. When I was a child, whilst I was certainly never an angel, I would never discard my rubbish for someone else to clean up. I can vaguely remember doing this once when I was very young, and the subsequent telling off (skelp!) I received made me fearful of ever repeating my mistake.
Also, having peers who were very attuned to the environment and its needs, made me even more aware of the problems that can arise from a moments thoughtlessness.
Beaches needing to be cleaned has been mentioned in the thread, and possibly the picture link below is the easiest way to make an example of how such thoughtlessness can be devastating.
http://birdguides.com/iris/pictures.asp?mode=potw&rty=0&r=1&v=1&off=259238
This heartbreaking image says it all. It should be on a sign at every beach in the country.
Similar things can, and are happening on Beinn Ghulean, and will continue to happen more if the problem is allowed to escalate.
In the not too distant past there have been Otters, and water-birds drowned in Crosshill loch by discarded netting. I’m also sure the needless burning of whinbushes, bracken and grasslands has been responsible for some horrific deaths over the years. Leaving glass bottles lying around can injure in obvious ways, but the sweet smelling remnants inside these containers can also attract small mammals, who then become stuck inside, and slowly starve to death. I have personally seen evidence of this.
Quite apart from the points I have raised already (and I do realise not everyone is hugely concerned about wildlife!) it looks truly awful, and is a sad indictment of the wasteful and unthinking culture of the 21st century.
I am thirty five years old, and I truly used to despair when I heard my elders say: ‘Ah, but it wouldn't have happened in my day' or the like. I used to feel that this was a rosy tinted, nostalgia laden view of the past; but the older I get, the more I begin to believe it.
However, I would agree that the kids are not solely to blame, admittedly, there are some very irresponsible adults too.
One example.
A year or two ago I was sat near the water tank at the beginning of the trail.
I was watching a Hen harrier hunting over the whinbushes far below, on the eastern side of the loch.
Soon a party of half a dozen or so teenagers and one adult appeared from the direction of the cemetery.
The Harrier skedaddled, and the party continued on until they reached the dam, where they sat down and began to eat lunch. I continued on around the trail, and about an hour later, I arrived an the dam, now vacated by the group. Crisp packets, sweetie wrappers, juice bottles etc all littered the place; and this with an adult in tow, who really should have known better.

So, solutions? Well, the clean up suggested by Mary would be an absolutely terrific start. But, I feel that in this case prevention is better than cure. Posters in schools and places of interest to younger people may act as a deterrent, or at least make them think twice. Also, although I personally have no idea what the legal ramifications of littering or destroying of property are, these people should be made aware that actions can have consequences; and if/when it occurs again it should be highlighted immediately, either on here or in the Courier, in the hope that the culprits can be found and made an example of.
Some more obvious solutions could be weekend/evening Police patrols in the Summer months, they are hardly stretched in Campbeltown, and I believe they already have the Mountain bikes?
If criminal damage is occurring, surely this is not an option too far?
Litter bins placed discretely on the ‘rubbish hot spots’ would be an another idea, I’m sure seeing the bins nearby would discourage individuals from just discarding their unwanted items into the undergrowth.
Obviously these bins would need to be emptied occasionally by volunteers, I couldn't see the freighter getting up there……

Thanks for the response to this thread. It is fantastic to see that at least some local people are proud of what we have, and want to see it well looked after.
Lets hope we can spread the word a little further.

[Bobh]

Great points raised and answered. A cracking post.

[Crowth]

Cracking post Jimbob.

It's quite distressing to hear about the slow, horrible death of an animal, wild or otherwise, especially when caused by the selfish acts of what is hopefully a small minority. I absolutely agree with every point you make, in particular the suggestion that education is the key.

If ever those litter bins that you suggest come to be, then let's make sure they're made from a non-combustible material

[Nancie]

We could put this on the agenda for Campbeltown Community Council, Jimbob, and write to all the schools asking them to speak to the pupils re the littering and vandalism. Maybe you could supply some pictures for the schools to get the message across.

[jimbobby]

I would be happy to help in any way I can

[Kintyre Forum News]

Good piece and surely this is an article for the Courier?

mrn - We've been holding this article since the start of January as it originally was sent to the Courier. We held back in the hope of it appearing in the Courier first, then posting it on here to maximise the issue. However, there has been no sign of it appearing and jimbobby gave us the green light to post it - as we knew it was a good one, an emotive issue and one that would get people talking. We sincerely hope the article still appears in the Courier as this is a local issue and one we should all be working to address.

Good to see such debate and positives coming out of this. Mary, we will help in anyway we can to highlight the issues, any events etc. Nancie, great suggestion to get the Community Council involved too. It really would be great to make something positive happen from this. We're sure we all can!

Jimbobby - many thanks for sharing your initial article with us and the subsequent reply. Your efforts are very much appreciated - keep them coming!

[russanros]

I well remember the 'countryside code' which was displayed in various places in around the areas where I went walking and my children still remember it from the Yorkshire Dales. I decicided to look it up on the internet http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/information_for/countryside_visitors/default.aspx which reminded me that footpaths and land access has different rules & regs in Scotland, I'll leave the link up though in case anything useful comes from it!

I seem to remember it was mentioned in schools and when you went out walking that the access to the land depended on adherance to the rules which were along the lines of: close gates. keep dogs on a lead, dont leave litter, dont pick flowers etc etc.

There is higher population density in England and therefore more pressure on the countryside, but maybe if its becoming a problem here there is a need to raise awareness and educate people more in respecting the countryside?

[chuckiebay]

In the fifties the rector WS McDonald often lectured at Assembly about litter. I think that is about when it became an offence to drop litter and there was a fine if caught. He told us not to be afraid to tell our parents to take their litter home if out as a family. I was quite scared of him and so there was no danger I would ever drop any litter. In fact if I inadvertantly drop a receipt in the car park and the wind takes it I quickly rediscover the ability to sprint.

[Hels]

I am really shocked to see this. I know that some will say I should not be, given the vandalism and so on that happen elsewhere, but I really thought that those who go to the effort of getting up to the likes of the bench do so because they appreciate the peace, beauty and unspoiled nature of their surroundings. Seems I am wrong and I am really saddened by that. Littering (anywhere) and vandalism are completely beyond my comprehension, but deliberate fire-starting is stupid and potentially life-threatening.

[Ship called Dignity]

I was wondering if there was any further action on this?

[jimbobby]

I was wondering if there was any further action on this?

I have been meaning to ''bump'' this thread for a wee while.
I was given the perfect opportunity this evening, when a friend of mine phoned me to tell me that once again Beinn Ghulean has been blighted by these mindless individuals.
Apparently at the usual camping area near Crosshill loch, a tent, multiple glass bottles, and various other pieces of disgusting debris have been left. As well as this.... A SUITCASE ON WHEELS containing personal belongings was dumped right in the middle of one of the trails. The case was reported to the police by at least two people, but whether this has been acted upon is anyone's guess.
Also, as if that wasn't enough, a ravine on the eastern flank that is bridged by one of the trails, is now also full of glass bottles and rubbish
As I remarked in my original post, as the good weather comes in, then so do the idiots.
This has to be acted upon asap by the Police force in Campbeltown.
Visible patrols at weekends, and on weekdays when the weather is good would all but solve this problem.

[Isa]

Not sure if the police and councillors still attend the monthly Community Council meetings but it would be a good place to bring this up. Worth a try.