People living around an Angus loch say the site has become a dumping ground for inconsiderate campers.
Human waste, dirty nappies and maggot-infested food packaging are among the items being left at Loch of Lintrathen near Kirriemuir, alongside tents, disposable barbecues and furniture.
Owned by Scottish Water, the loch provides drinking water for Dundee and Angus.
It is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Protection Area (SPA), providing an important habitat for wading birds and other wildlife.
The water board has issued an urgent call to visitors following incidents of anti-social behaviour, waste and abandoned campfires at a number of reservoirs.
Claire Fleming of nearby Peel Farm has been doing regular clean-ups and says the authorities are not taking responsibility.
She says she filled one-and-a-half forklift buckets with rubbish from a single area.
STV News“There are maggots in the bags, human excrement, dirty nappies. It’s not for anyone to be dealing with.
“It breaks your heart. I was tidying up along here on Monday morning and a lady I was with was actually crying. She was so devastated.
“It’s a job that needs PPE really. Somebody has to do it, but we did it.”
Claire also says parking in the area has become a growing issue over the summer.
She says at one point she counted around 40 cars along the nearby single-track road.
“It’s horrendous. Somebody needs to step up and we can’t be doing this to the environment,” she added.
STV News
STV NewsNicole has been coming here to camp with her partner and children for the last few years and she has noticed an increase in litter in and around the beauty spot.
“When we first came it was amazing, but it’s becoming more popular, especially at weekends. People are coming and leaving everything, from chairs to used toilet roll.
“Yesterday we had to try and tidy everybody’s rubbish sitting in the bushes.
“We teach our kids to put things in the bin, but if others aren’t doing it, why are they having to do it?”
Scottish Water said visitor numbers have increased at many of its 300 reservoirs, which attract tens of thousands of people over the year.
Rangers say they have been finding abandoned camp fires that are still alight as well as human waste.
There have also been incidents where people have hacked down trees for firewood.
Hamish Miller is a local resident who previously worked for Scottish Water for 30 years.
“The place used to be lovely – now it’s absolutely trashed. There’s no other word for it,” he said.
“There were careful bylaws on reservoirs. No one was allowed over the perimeter fence. Everything was about protecting it.
“It’s quite devastating looking at what it’s like now.”
He added: “There’s nothing being done, absolutely nothing.”
STV NewsThe issues are also affecting other users of the loch.
The local angling club is currently restricting activities after abuse was hurled at members.
Jim Reid says income from visiting anglers has fallen by more than 50%.
“Normally we have about 86 boats here in a day. There’s nothing.
“People want to fish in peace and quiet, not contend with disco music, fights or fires. That’s not what you pay to come fishing for.”
Frances Fleming has lived in the area for over 50 years – she accused authorities of “passing the buck.”
“Angus Council says it’s not our problem, the water board says it’s not our problem. It has to become somebody’s problem.
“It’s so disappointing to see how it’s being allowed to get into this state.
“Why would you pollute your own drinking water? It makes no sense. Animals don’t do that.”
STV NewsScottish Water say it’s a Scotland-wide problem and want to make an appeal to the public to clean up their behaviour.
Scottish Water said similar issues have been reported at reservoirs across Scotland, including sites near Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and in the Borders.
Land strategy team leader Donna Mills said a small group of reservoir rangers patrol busier sites across the country and they are also working with police, local authorities among other agencies to tackle the issue.
“We don’t have people coming to clean up after you.
“We are urging those people who have behaved in an anti-social way at any of our reservoirs to think about their actions and the impact they are having on the environment and local residents and to stop this behaviour immediately.
“Unfortunately, nice weather encourages more people to come out, so we’re now clearing some of these sites and doing a bit more intervention, which wasn’t on our list before.
“There is obviously a problem with litter and people camping at the loch for their weekend trips and, unfortunately, they are not complying with the outdoor access code by taking their waste off-site.
People are entitled to come and enjoy the space, but we encourage them to leave no trace and take everything back home with them.”
An Angus Council spokesperson urged campers to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and warned that littering and fly-tipping are illegal.
The council said fixed penalties of £500 can be issued for fly-tipping, while courts can impose fines of up to £40,000.
An Angus Council spokesman said: “People should be responsible for their own actions and behaviour and always clear up after themselves so everyone can experience the best of the communities, wildlife and landscapes we enjoy here in Angus.”
“Angus Council wants people to respect our coastline and countryside – to take only memories and leave only footprints.
“We will investigate and dispose of fly-tipping on council ground and, where items are fly-tipped on private ground, we carry out enquiries to try to find those responsible.”
Members of the public are urged to report incidents using the council’s online form, or by phoning ACCESSLine on 03452 777 778.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Police Scotland can be contacted for larger scale or overnight incidents.
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