Lost Valley ‘ravaged by trash and rock art’

The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) says anti-social behavior has once again blighted Lost Valley in Glen Coe.

Also known as Coire Gabhail or the Hidden Valley, it was once used by the MacDonald clan to hide stolen cattle.

Today it is part of an Area of Special Scientific Interest, partly due to its rich plant life of international importance.

The NTS said the valley had been littered with abandoned camping equipment and rocks had been moved to create “rock art” – just a year after previous warnings about damage to the site.

Stones used to create a spiral shape in the Lost Valley of Glen Coe — NTS found stones removed for ‘rock art’ (National Trust for Scotland)

A stump left after cutting down a tree and a cut log — The NTS found that live trees and deadwood were damaged and burned (National Trust for Scotland)

Thrown pot and crumpled aluminum foil — Discarded pans and aluminum foil (National Trust for Scotland)

The problem of cutting down tree branches covered with moss and lichen in order to start fires also reoccurred.

According to NTS, which manages much of the area, 150,000 people visit Glen Coe each year.

Operations manager Emily Bryce said a growing problem was people using deadwood and branches to start fires.

She said: “This is causing irreversible damage to Scotland’s ancient rainforest which clings to its steep slopes and rocks.

“People may not realize that lighting a fire with damp or live wood is not only vandalistic, but also pointless because it doesn’t burn well.”

Ms Bryce added: “We also want to raise awareness that the trend of coconut ‘rock art’ – where rocks are moved and arranged into towers or spirals – is having a lasting negative impact on nature.

“These rocks provide shelter for wildlife and protect the shallow, high-altitude soils from erosion, so we ask visitors not to disturb them.”