Residents of Fraserburgh are outraged that a large group of gypsy-travellers has set up camp at a local beauty spot.
The fishing town is renowned for it’s golden beach but now dozens of residents have taken to social media to bemoan the arrival of caravans.
On several community forums the new arrivals were branded “arrogant” for parking at the tourist spot and it is understood the police have been contacted.
The row comes as Aberdeenshire Council pushes forward with plans to spend £500,000 on creating special camp sites for travellers in the region.
Mearns councillor George Carr, who sits on the local authority’s travellers sub-committee, said that the aim was to find a way for the settled and travelling communities to live together in “harmony”.
He said: “There’s always been ongoing issues with travellers, but there are codes of conduct the travellers have drawn up between themselves and the council which everyone is supposed to adhere to.
“It’s a case of trying to make sure everyone is respecting everyone else’s right to live in harmony.”
The new sites have not yet been identified but would have access to clean water and toilet facilities, allowing travellers to stay for up to a month at a time.
Currently, travellers are in the process of being evicted from public spaces including car parks and play areas in Buchan.
A group in Peterhead’s Lido car park, overlooking the coastal town’s marina and harbour, were unwilling to comment when approached