A few Carnethy members have got so sick of the rubbish left around the honeypots of the Pentlands. After the hot spell, reservoir picnic spots and various informal campsites were left in a disgraceful state. Bin bags full of rubbish were removed by several members. The hills were split into 10 ‘hotspots’ and informally, Carnethys allocated to become Wombles for that area. The task was simple, if not nice, and we all have our thoughts about those who cannot take their litter home. One area by Bonaly Reservoir required a Ranger’s Landrover to collect the volume of mess. Another area, around the Souterrain on Castlelaw, was so disgusting that rubber gloves and masks were needed. Colin Pritchard rose to the challenge and was thanked in this letter from the Pentland Rangers Service plus thanks from Historic Environment Scotland for the Souterrain clearup:
This week we have been pleasantly surprised by the number of young people who have been bagging up their rubbish whilst, and after, camping and partying (although they are wild-camping against Government guidance at present – camping is not permitted until some point in Phase 3, possibly 15th July). However, some think the magic fairies pick up their bags of rubbish. One group told us on Tuesday they thought bin men walked the banks of Harlaw Reservoir, so they had left their black bags sitting on the shoreline! They did go back to collect their bags, but left behind enough small items of litter such as bottletops, cigarette ends and broken glass to keep our officer busy for quite a while.
We don’t have any staff employed to pick up rubbish. Please carry it to the bins provided, or take it home if the bin is full.
One of our officers spent three hours dealing with an abandoned campsite at Bonaly on Monday. All the tents, shelters, seats, sleeping bags, rollmats and insulation material were brand new, having been bought at a major retailer. Unfortunately they were so soiled and of low-value that they have had to be disposed of.
On another positive note, we would like to say how grateful we are to the real-life Wombles: Friends of the Pentlands, Carnethy H R C and numerous anonymous individuals (people like YOU, who love the hills), who have been going out and picking up unprecedented amounts of litter recently (volunteers from Carnethy Hill Running Club recently removed human toileting waste from the Souterrain at Castlelaw). Thank you so much – we wish you didn’t have to do it. If you are one of these people, feel free to email us with number of bags picked / time spent picking so we can get an idea of volunteer input #TakItHame
Thanks to all involved. Please pick up rubbish and even carry a rubbish bag if you have time.
Mark