Fly-tippers who dumped rubbish at a north-east beauty spot have been slammed by locals as efforts are made to track down the culprits.
Huge mounds of earth, car tyres and other debris have been left at the picturesque Stirling Hill near Boddam.
The area is popular with walkers as it boasts views of the Buchan coastline but is far from looking its best after the refuse was tipped.
A local man discovered the discarded debris while out with his dogs at the weekend.
The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, said the pile of rubbish was “unsightly” and claimed such crimes were on the increase as people look to avoid paying for refuse collection.
He said: “This is way beyond your bin bag or even fridge being left at the side of the road.
“I think the problem with incidents like this is the cost of disposing of the waste. The council are charging for it and people do not want to pay up.
“It is an unsightly blot on the landscape.”
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This is not the first time Stirling Hill has been the target of fly-tippers, with a car and even an ice-cream van being left to rot in a huge pool of water at the abandoned quarry in recent months.
In July, signs for the Stirling Hill Access Network in the powder houses near the quarry were broken into pieces by vandals.
Peterhead South and Cruden councillor Alan Fakley said he was filled with frustration at the latest fly-tipping incident to blight Stirling Hill.
Mr Fakley described the crime as “sheer laziness” and said he was fed up that the area is being repeatedly used as a dumping ground.
He said: “It is a lovely site and when you get to the top of the hill you can look out to sea.
“I condemn the sheer laziness and utter disregard for our countryside following this incident at Boddam.
“This causes unnecessary cost to both the tax payer and the council and it is just so frustrating.”
Councillor Stephen Smith said it was “disgusting” and has called for anyone with information about those behind the dumping to contact the authorities.
He said: “This is disgusting behaviour and clearly pre-planned, judging by the amount of rubbish involved.
“I’d urge anyone who saw anything that can help identify the culprit to come forward.”
