Easter Ross fly-tip fury as community rallies to catch culprits
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EVIDENCE found at the scene of "totally unacceptable" fly tipping at an Easter Ross beauty spot could lead police to the front door of the culprit.
The desecration of a community-minded farmer's land on a popular walk has disgusted locals all the more as a scheme is in place to help get household waste to a nearby recycling centre where it can be deposited free.
As a local councillor slammed fly tippers "a burden on society", determined activists called on folk living in nearby villages to help identify those responsible.
The latest incident on a walk between Hilton and Rockfield saw trash including a computer monitor, motorcycle parts, a horse blanket and general building waste dumped on land belonging to Kenny Mackenzie of Cullisse Farm.
Highland Council warns that fly tipping can result in fines from £200 to £20,000 or up to six months in prison. It's understood a piece of evidence found at the scene offers police a solid lead.
Norma Balfour of Balintore/Hilton Community Council said it was a "slap in the face" for Mr Mackenzie who "has bent over backwards to help the community". She said: "What's angered us most is all of this rubbish could have been taken instead to the Tain recycling centre and disposed of properly at no cost. It is horrible for the whole community which is working so hard to enhance the environment of our three seaboard villages."
The waste was dumped near paths cut by the farmer for public access. Mrs Balfour said: "There is a cattle grid to get on to his fields and an iron gate has been removed, we suspect, by the individuals who must have used a a 4x4 and trailer or a van to get to the site to dump their waste."
Ironically the proactive community council offers a trailer which people can borrow free of charge to take rubbish to the recycling centre in Tain.
Mrs Balfour said: "Recently I was at the jetty at Balintore and I saw a woman and young man dump an old fireplace over the jetty wall. I challenged them and the woman said it would cost her £50 to dispose of it at the council recycling depot.
"Any waste like that would be accepted free of charge by the council as long as it's not commercial waste. The council do charge for special uplifts and we know there are some people who may not be able to afford that.
"But if people contact us we will try and help them because we don't want our environment spoiled."
She confirmed the matter has been reported to the police and that there is some evidence which might help them trace the culprits.
Mr Mackenzie, who has lived in the area all his life, has been bothered by fly tipping for years and has taken fridges, freezers and other household items to the recycling centre at Tain.
He said: "On one occasion we found 200 copies of the Yellow Pages still in their plastic obviously meant to be delivered to houses but just dumped."
Tain and Easter Ross councillor Alasdair Rhind said: "These people are a burden on society. This is totally unacceptable. We have a community warden who goes to places where fly-tipping has taken place and try to gather evidence to find the culprits and there can be substantial penalties for this type of behaviour.
"Why would they take a vehicle and trailer away out there when they could go to the council's civic amenity recycling centre and dispose of this rubbish free of charge, properly and legally."
Police can be contacted on 101 quoting incident reference 2981.
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