A LEADING conservation charity has pleaded with visitors to Glencoe not to leave memorials or rock art behind in a bid to protect the natural landscape from damage.
The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has issued the warning following its highest ever number of visitors to its sites, saying the growing numbers have brought “increased pressures”.
The organisation welcomed more than two million people across the country last year and have asked visitors who access Scotland’s famous landscapes to do so “responsibly”.
Conservationists said problem spots have included Coire Gabhail at Glencoe, also known as the Hidden or Lost Valley, where increasing numbers of rock art, where stones are collected and either stacked or arranged in patterns, have been discovered.
The charity added that “many mementoes” had also been left across many popular spots in Scotland.
David Frew, head of Mar Lodge Estate near Braemar at NTS, said: “Our purpose is to share our places with people, so we’re really pleased to have reached our highest ever visitor figures in 2024.
“We saw a 37% increase on the previous year and we want this growth to continue, and we also want to continue to improve access for people who may not have had the chance to explore countryside landscapes in the past.
“A lot of the challenges we face in maintaining our countryside properties come from people who simply don’t know what is and is not a responsible way to visit these places, so we want to raise awareness.
“Many people won’t know that seemingly small actions can have large impacts on fragile habitats. This is especially true when multiplied by hundreds of thousands of visitors.”
NTS said that while creating rock art may seem harmless, the practice can disturb precious habitats and create lasting disruption as walls are tampered with and stones disrupted.
The organisation added that visitors should also consider other ways to leave tributes or memorials.
A NTS statement said: “While many locations have a special place in people’s hearts and they may want to leave a marker or memorial, it’s important to protect the natural beauty and wildlife of these places.”
It added: “Physical markers may inadvertently harm wildlife, so people are encouraged to think of other ways to leave a tribute to loved ones.”
Meanwhile, issues with illegal fires have also been reported at Mar Lodge Estate, with the topic “exceptionally important” given the numerous amounts of wildfires so far this summer.
Frew said rangers were encountering “dozens and dozens” of prohibited campfires at NTS sites.
He said: “People often just tell us they’ll be careful. Many people don’t realise that fires can ignite underground in areas of peatland and although it appears extinguished on the surface, it can have devastating consequences.
“And far too often we see a seemingly well-managed fire lose control from just one or two errant embers. We would really appreciate visitors listening to no-fire guidance and helping us protect our landscapes.
“We love sharing our special places with people from around the world, but we ask that everyone treats them with the care and respect they deserve. We don’t want anyone to feel that the outdoors is beyond their reach, or somewhere they’re not welcome, so education and engagement is the easiest way to do this.”
