Glenkens communities came together for a blitz on rubbish round the shores of Loch Ken on Sunday.
Dozens of people took part in the Eco Marathon litter pick, staged as a nod to the London Marathon which had been scheduled for the same day.
Teams at Crossmichael, New Galloway, Mossdale and Laurieston were each allocated a section of the 26-mile shoreline – the same distance as the marathon.
And at New Galloway Park 26 people turned up at 10-minute intervals to collect bags and grabbers to clean up the shore one mile at a time.
Co-organiser Sam Rushton said: “One mum welled up because her children were seeing their school friends for the first time in weeks.
“I think everyone truly wanted to have a shared activity so that they could do something together.
“Even though people were talking to each other from a distance it was very uplifting.”
Sam added: “It was great to think that others around the loch were doing this too.
“Together with the other villages we covered the majority of the loch.
“It was all part of our permitted daily exercise all around Loch Ken.
“And we are grateful to the council for agreeing to uplift all the bags of rubbish.”
Balmaclellan and Corsock volunteers also joined in the Eco Marathon to clear verges round their villages.
