Anger as ancient Scottish Caledonian pine forest 'cut down by dirty campers'

A WARNING has been issued after “mindless vandalism” on public land across Scotland saw rubbish dumped and ancient forest cut down. 

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), a government agency, put out a statement calling out people who have damaged the public land with “blatant disregard for anyone else but themselves”.

In Glen Affric, a national nature reserve north of Loch Ness which FLS says is “home to some of the best examples of ancient Caledonian Forest left in the country”, an abandoned campsite was found as well as six felled trees.

“It was an absolute disaster area,” FLS visitor services ranger Sandra Reid said. 

“It looks like a weekend outing, but everything was just left there. A tarpaulin awning, camping gear, and a whole lot of rubbish – we counted 50 glass bottles as we cleared it up.”

“The littering and vandalism is bad and, with the blatant disregard of warnings against campfires, we can count ourselves very lucky that things were not much worse,” she added.

FLS said it had also seen “a string of vandalism and fly tipping” in sites around Aberdeen, such as Tyrebagger and Countesswells.

FLS image of fly-tipped rubbish found at Tyrebagger, near Aberdeen (Image: FLS) “What is especially galling is that in less than a week after finally being able to re-open the Countesswells car park and forest after three years of closure, we had someone fly tipping,” FLS area visitor services manager Fiona Robertson said.

FLS said it had spent around £6000 so far in 2025 on path repairs and fly tipping clean-up at Tyrebagger alone, adding that was “money that should be going towards maintaining and improving our forests”.

“This mindless vandalism and anti-social behaviour is out of order and totally unacceptable," Robertson added.

“Our forests are there for everyone to enjoy and some people have a blatant disregard for anyone else but themselves.”

Damage apparently caused by a vehicle unlawfully driving through an FLS forest (Image: FLS)Responding on social media, many people called for more ranger patrols to help prevent damage and abuse of public sites.

"We need government-funded rangers with substantial on the spot fine powers," one user wrote.

A second suggested the behaviour was going unchecked "because there are no consequences for [it]. No rangers or police enforcing anything".

In a blog post, FLS added: “We thank the vast majority of people who enjoy responsible visits, but we’re reminding people to please respect the outdoors by not using campfires or disposable barbecues during prolonged dry periods. 

“Also to be cautious when using camping stoves as stray sparks or embers are enough to start a wildfire that can spread very quickly and become a major threat to life, biodiversity, and property.”

The agency urged anyone who sees fly tipping or illegal vehicular access to enquiries@forestryandland.gov.scot or through Police Scotland by dialling 101.