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Fury over rubbish dumped at Ross loch





The wooded banks around Loch Ussie have been despoiled by thoughtless littering
The wooded banks around Loch Ussie have been despoiled by thoughtless littering

THE beauty of an outstandingly scenic Ross-shire lochside near Dingwall is being marred by thoughtless visitors, some thought to be pike anglers.

Unsightly piles of rubbish have appeared round the wooded shores of Loch Ussie, with the remains of campfires and barbecues as well as wrappings, cartons and bottles.

The area is well known to locals, many of whom see it as a hidden gem, and councillors have reacted angrily to it being despoiled.

Among those incensed by visitors unwilling to take their waste away on leaving the tranquil wooded area below Knockfarrel is Councillor Graham MacKenzie (Dingwall and Seaforth).

He said: “I am extremely disappointed to hear about this. Ross-shire is an area famed far and wide for its beauty — and for its fishing — and it is infuriating that there are those who are failing to respect its environment.

“The problem is that it is often impossible to track down those responsible for this type of thing but I hope they are dealt with as harshly as possible when they are found.

“At the moment there is a fixed penalty fine of £80 for littering and £200 for fly-tipping and a potential fine of £2,500 if it goes through the courts.”

Also angered by the thoughtless behaviour of those camping out along the lochside is fellow councillor Alister Mackinnon.

He said: “I am absolutely disgusted at the attitude of these people rubbing the noses of local folk in their rubbish.

“The council provides plenty of places to dispose of rubbish free and it is complete selfishness to leave piles of litter rather than to be bothered taking it away.

“I cannot understand people of this mentality — to leave such a mess in such a scenic area is quite unbelievable to me.

“I believe that littering like this may have moved far down the priorities of the police, especially since Police Scotland took over from the former Northern Constabulary.

“But I hope that if any of those responsible are caught they are dealt with severely.”

One local, who did not wish to be named, told the Ross-shire Journal: “It’s pretty obvious to those living here that the main culprits are anglers who camp out on the lochside for weekends. It’s not those making a quick visit for a picnic and the like.”


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