Human poo considered 'a hazard to human health' latest to be found littering Pentland Hills

“Irresponsible toileting” has become a significant issue in one of Edinburgh’s nearby beauty spots to a point where the anti-social activity has become a “hazard.”

Toilet paper and evidence of human defecation has been discovered in abundance recently in the Pentland Hills.

The organisation Pentland Hills Regional Park has taken to social media to urge visitors to “go before you go” in a bid to stop the beauty spot being tarnished with human excrement.

In a frank, but understanding post on Facebook, a spokeswoman for the group has reminded those who are keen to take a walk in the hills that while the area is far away from public toilets, it should not be treated as an outdoor bathroom.

She said: “Many areas of the Pentlands are far away from human habitation and therefore far away from toilet facilities. Most public toilet facilities are still closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.

"You should always try to ‘go' before you go’ but we know that this might not help when making a longer visit.

"Some sites are becoming extremely popular with day-trip and overnight visitors and irresponsible toileting is creating a human health hazard.

"If you to need urinate or defecate when you’re visiting do so more than 30 metres away from open water and paths and keep well away from buildings and farm animals.”

She went onto suggest carrying a lightweight trowel when out walking in the hills to dig a hole with to bury faeces and cover with earth, if one is desperate.

Used toilet paper, wet wipes and sanitary items should always be bagged and disposed of appropriately to prevent littering the countryside and posing a risk to wildlife.

Human excrement is unfortunately not the first hindrance rangers have come across when observing the Pentland Hills during lockdown.

Smashed glass, burnt barbecue stains and bags of litter have also been found littering the beauty spot.

On July 9, an officer spent about an hour clearing up glass that had shattered into thousands of pieces near the Bonaly reservoir.

Just the day before, rangers had to spend hours clearing an ‘abandoned campsite’ where wild campers had left bags of rubbish, tents, sleeping bags and other equipment.

A statement on the group’s page in relation to this incident read: “One of our officers spent three hours dealing with an abandoned campsite at Bonaly. All the tents, shelters, seats, sleeping bags, rollmats and insulation material were brand new, having been bought at a major retailer.

"Unfortunately they were so soiled and of low-value that they have had to be disposed of."

The organisation does not employ staff to pick up rubbish after campers or walkers, and members regularly remind those visiting the beauty spot to carry rubbish to the bins provided – if full, waste must be taken home and disposed of appropriately.

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