A group of lockdown flouters who gathered in the Pentland Hills for an illegal, litter-strewn wild camping party left behind a bit more than they bargained for - a mobile phone that the rangers handed in to police.
The Pentland Hills Regional Park page shared photos of the mess the group left behind on their Facebook page, saying:
"Our officers have been cleaning up some disgusting messes today, at both Bonaly and Harlaw.
"If you see groups making a mess in the hills (or any other kind of anti-social behaviour), please call 101 if after 4.30pm, and let the police know. Try and give an exact location. The phone that was found in the mess will be handed into police tomorrow morning."
The Pentland Hills team then issued an update, saying: "UPDATE the phone will now be handed into Wester Hailes Police Station. Could the lady who called wanting it back please go there to pick it up.
The incident happened on 19 June. Wild camping is currently not allowed under phase two of lockdown rules.
The Scottish Government phase two guidance states that: ''In Phase 2 we are still requiring people to stay at home, except for limited purposes. In Phase 3 we hope to be able to be able to allow leisure travel and tourism activities, including wild camping.’’
People reacted angrily to the photographs, with nearly 200 people leaving comments on the post.
One man said: "That’s how people behave at festivals, just up and leave their mess for somebody else to clean up and it appears acceptable. Sad to see out on the hill though."
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Another person added: "So sad to see, they carried it all there why not carry it back. It’s technically lighter as it’s empty."
This scene was repeated on a much larger scale on the Meadows yesterday, when hundreds descended on the green space for outdoor drinks yesterday evening. Edinburgh author Ian Rankin shared pictures of the Meadows covered in trash.
One resident described the park as looking ‘like a nightclub’ as throngs of drinkers gathered to enjoy the afternoon sun.
This morning the park was covered in a sea of litter left behind thoughtless revellers.
Edinburgh Live have reached out to Police Scotland for comment about what became of the phone left in the Pentlands.
