‘Beyond out of hand’ cry NC500 locals as tourists steal fence posts for campfire

LOCALS living along the North Coast 500 have been left fuming after tourists were caught stealing new fence posts to make a campfire.

Furious residents in Skerray, on the north coast of Sutherland, were unimpressed after they spotted the new posts left burnt and charred on a nearby beach.

They explained that the tourists could have picked up some dry driftwood from the beach, which was just 50 yards away.

It comes after visitor’s behaviour over recent years has frustrated those living along the iconic Scottish route.

Many have hit out at “selfish” motorhome owners who have “zero respect” for the Highlands after they left the area it in a shocking state.

While others fumed after a campervan driver was spotted dumping their toilet at a remote beauty spot.

And the latest incident with the fence posts has caused locals to claim that the situation has gotten “beyond out of hand now”.

A photo of the burnt wood left at the site of the campfire was posted in the Facebook group NC500 The dirty truth.

Morons, no need for this kind of thing at all

Facebook user

The caption read: “Between Moll and Strathenbeg beach in Skerray, campers helping themselves to new fence posts for a fire.

“The posts are for fencing.

“There was plenty of dry driftwood 50 yards away on the beach.

“C’mon folks, just a wee bit of thoughtfulness.”

Users quickly flocked to the comments to slam the behaviour, with many calling it “disrespectful and irresponsible”.

One person said: “Unbelievable”.

Another added: “It’s beyond out of hand now”.

Someone else wrote: “So sorry you’re having to endure this level of disrespectful and irresponsible behaviour.”

And a fourth posted: “Morons, no need for this kind of thing at all”.

While a fifth chimed in: “What on earth do these people think they’re doing?”

Others also hit out at the tourists for having an open campfire in the scenic, grassy spot.

The group admin commented: “This group doesn’t support the use of an open campfire at all, at any time.”

And a second carried on: “They shouldn’t be using any wood and starting any fires along the route, unless permitted to use off-ground fire pits, on Regulated Campsites, where permitted.”

While a third wrote: “Simply no need to have open fires in the summer months. Should be illegal to light one”.

It comes after a shock report last month revealed that visitors along the popular deriving route keep pooing outside and dishing out abuse to locals.

People think it’s just a big free for all where they can do what they want. But it’s not alright and they shouldn’t be doing this. It’s no longer tolerable. People who live here are fed-up

Local Margaret Meek

Rangers in the Highlands were forced to call in cops to deal with outbursts of extreme aggressive behaviour from tourists.

While they revealed that cases of people doing their business in laybys and elsewhere doubled in two years to hit almost 9,000.

Local Margaret Meek said: “It’s insane – the numbers are just staggering.

“People think it’s a wilderness or a theme park and just a big free for all where they can do what they want.

“But it’s not alright and they shouldn’t be doing this. It’s no longer tolerable. People who live here are fed-up.”

The number of tourists visiting what’s been styled as Scotland’s Route 66 has soared to record levels in recent years. 

Residents are unhappy that the roads are clogged with camper vans and many have had to deal with tourists doing the toilet outside their homes.

A team of 18 rangers were tasked with keeping the peace and dealing with these issues on the NC500.

In their annual report for 2023 they revealed they spoke to 29,874 visitors, up from 28,500 the year before.

But 439 of these chats took a nightmare turn with the crews having to deal with “argumentative, abusive, or aggressive” behaviour.

They were forced to call in the emergency services 44 times

The report said: “Whilst a small number of the total, they were uncomfortable, distressing and possibly threatening to the ranger involved.”

The rangers put out 233 fires and dealt with 126 cases of dumped motorhome waste, up from 62, as well as seeing an increase in litter.

The worst hit area was Lochaber, but North Lochaber and Lochalsh were also badly affected.