SHOCKING pictures have emerged of “knee high” waste scattered across a clay pigeon club in the Scottish Highlands, and have been labelled as “disgusting.”
The pictures show hundreds of cartridges used for clay pigeon shooting all over the Highland Deephaven Clay Pigeon Shooting Club firing range in Evanton, near the Cromarty Firth.
Before they were all the plastic wads, (the cartridges for firing) were neatly stacked together near the ocean.
Lorna Williamson, 57, visited the shooting range yesterday (Tues) on holiday from her native Aberdeenshire and claims the litter problem has been there two years.
Highland Deephaven Clay Pigeon Shooting Club have announced a clean-up of their grounds two weeks ago for this Sunday.
However, many clay pigeon enthusiasts have hit out at the club claiming not to clean up the mess at the time.
Lorna shared the pictures to Facebook captioned yesterday (Tues) with: “Shocking find today at the Clay Pigeon shooting range near the Cromarty Firth. Doesn’t anyone care?
“All that plastic will just end up in the Firth. I’ve been reliably informed that there will be a clean up on Sunday 24th. Not before time it’s a long time till then but i’ll be back.”
Images show the plastic wadding has been left skewed all over the grounds of the range.
Before it was neatly piled together for collection. However, the pile is said to have been “knee high”
Facebook users were shocked by the images.
Cameron Middleton wrote under Lorna’s post: “As a shooter that’s shocking plastic wads should be banned.
“I’m presuming it’s a clay club .I hope they are held responsible for it.”
Becky Smith said: “Scotland needs to start fining people for throwing their rubbish outside. This is a beautiful country but this is disgusting.”
Peter Bain posted: “That’s shocking, if that was a proper shooting club that would have been picked up behind them.
“They should be made to clean it up or shutdown and fined.”
Kyle Mcneil said: “The cartridges have been there a long time, that looks shocking.
“Ten minutes cleaning up after each shoot and there would be no s***e lying about.”
Carey Sinclair wrote: “Every club I’ve been to they’ve had to pick up. 100% agree needs investigated.”
Speaking today (Wed) Lorna said: “A visit to Deephaven Clay Pigeon Shooting range in Evanton led to this shocking scene.
“A pile of plastic wadding from shooting cartridges about knee high. I’m told apparently ready for collection, but I’ve no idea how long it’s been ready for collection.
“And the whole shooting area is strewn with the plastic wadding. The weather in the Highland this last couple of weeks has been atrocious so if that has been there all this time then how many of it has reached the sea.
“From a good source I’m led to believe that place has been like that for at least two years.”
The club posted on their Facebook page regarding their annual general meeting, but mentioned they will also be cleaning their grounds on March 10.
They said: “Our AGM has been scheduled for Sunday 24th March at 13.00.
“We would also like to invite our members to help tidy our grounds from 10am with bacon rolls supplied.
“Your participation would be appreciated to keep our club running smoothly.”
Highland Deephaven Clay Pigeon club said they were aware of the issue and taking measures to ensure it doesn’t reach the shore.
When Lorna shared images of the plastic to Facebook, many users were shocked.
A spokeswoman said: “We are aware of this issue and working in conjunction with SEPA to resolve this.
“We have initiated a clean-up of the shoreline and are looking into measures for preventing debris reaching the shore.”
Scottish Environmental Protection Agency Confirmed they were working with the Highland Deephaven Clay Pigeon Club to resolve “alleged” plastic pollution on the shores of the Cromarty Firth.
A spokesman from SEPA, said: “SEPA has received a complaint relating to alleged plastic pollution on the shores of the Cromarty Firth from the Highland Deephaven Clay Pigeon Club.
“Whilst not a SEPA regulated site, officers have conducted an assessment of the site and engaged in positive discussions with the operators to prevent further plastic escaping to the sea.
“These discussions included improving plastic collection on site, considering new practices and looking at measures to manage any wastes originating at the site.
“SEPA officers will continue to liaise with operators with regards to these improvements in order to limit further plastic pollution in the Cromarty Firth and surrounding area.
