A group who voluntarily clean up the mountains are going bananas over walkers who leave their skins behind on Scotland’s highest mountain.
After days on end when one volunteers says he has simply picked up banana skins to have picked up at least half a carrier bag full every day.
Rich Pyne, a founding member of clean up group Real3Peaks Challenge said: “People come for beautiful views and leave behind a few banana skins for a change.
“At the weekend I bagged approximately nine pounds of banana skins off the summit and path on Ben Nevis.
“A few days later, I did another pick, and came down with the same volume – half a large carrier bag full.
“I will work out an average number that are left behind each day when I get a moment, but needless to say it’s a never-ending story
“Ben Nevis has particular problems with litter of all sorts because it’s so popular, and because so many of those who climb it aren’t regular hill-goers and don’t seem to appreciate the harm they are doing by leaving litter, whether it’s banana peels or polythene bags.
“We urge everyone to avoid dropping any litter and, indeed, to pick up any they find, through our #TakItHame campaign. We also have a page on our website advising people of what they need to take and know if they want to climb Ben Nevis, and that includes information about litter.”
A spokeswoman for Nevis Landscape Partnership said: “The day there is a banana plant growing on Ben Nevis will be a miraculous day!.
“But until then, banana peels do not belong on mountains. Nor do other fruit peels, and nor does plastic, toilet paper, wet wipes, or any other waste.
“When you go out to spend time in these great landscapes, please bring all your rubbish back with you. If the closest bin is full, then just take it home.”
On social media, Lucy Dowland said: “People don’t see themselves as littering when it’s biodegradable, maybe a just a sign reminding them that ‘If it doesn’t grow here don’t leave it here!’ might just stick in their heads?”
