A charity responsible for one of the UK’s biggest waterfalls is being urged to “safeguard the site”.
MSP Joan McAlpine has written to the National Trust for Scotland amid concerns the Grey Mare’s Tail beauty spot is being spoiled by overcrowding, litter and even human excrement.
Visitors have flocked to the site near Moffat since lockdown restrictions were lifted.
But NTS staff are on furlough and volunteers are still waiting to hear when they’ll be invited back to help manage the area.
The trust, which encourages visitors to the site on its website with just a mild warning, said: “We’re pleased to be able to welcome back visitors. There are no toilet facilities at Grey Mare’s Tail. We urge people to carefully observe social distancing guidelines.”
Ms McAlpine said: “Reports of overcrowding and litter at the Grey Mare’s Tail are of great concern and if there are no rangers or volunteers on duty who will manage visitors or maintain the site?
“I have a responsibility to constituents who have approached me to investigate so I’ve written to the National Trust for Scotland on their behalf.
“I’ve asked them how they intend to safeguard the site going forward.
“There are paths and staircases which require maintenance and a need to control the increasing numbers of visitors who have been flocking to the site.”
She added: “I know that the NTS is under financial stresses due to a massive drop in visitor income during the pandemic.
“However, it’s vital we make sure they’re aware of environmental and safety issues at their unmanned sites across the country and that sites like this are at the top of their priority list when they start bringing employees back from furlough.”
The dramatic upland landscape was created by glacial erosion over millions of years.
