Police have warned that some of Scotland’s rarest habitats are being badly damaged by illegal access by off road vehicles.
Together, Scottish Natural Heritage and Police Scotland, say they have recently seen a spike in incidents caused by quad bikes, motorbikes and off-road karts.
Sensitive areas of the Highlands have been left deeply rutted as well as scoured by “doughnuts and long skid-marks”.
Among the areas hit have been sites at Loch Fleet near Golspie and Ben Wyvis, north of Dingwall.
They are protected as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, recognising their important sand dune and mountain habitats, as well as the wealth of wildlife that they support. They are also designated as National Nature Reserves (NNRs).
An SNH spokesman said: “Unfortunately, the sensitive habitats on these NNRs are suffering ongoing damage as a result of illegal quad bike and motorbike access, with a recent spike in activity witnessed around the festive period and into 2017.
“SNH is keen to encourage the public to visit these sites and have provided facilities such as footpaths and on-site interpretation. But access rights should always be exercised responsibly in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code – these rights don’t extend to motorised vehicles.”
Loch Fleet NNR Manager, Adam Rose, added:”We’ve seen a spate of damage at Loch Fleet in recent months caused by quad bikes, motorbikes and off-road karts.
“Sand dune habitats are sensitive to damage from vehicle use and damaged areas can take a long time to recover, particularly where the sand and soil are exposed to the elements. “Large ruts, doughnuts and long skid-marks, as we have had recently Loch Fleet, are particularly damaging as they take longer to restore. Of course, this takes even longer where there has been repeated damage to one area. As well as the physical damage to the site, internationally important populations of birds that overwinter at Loch Fleet may be disturbed.”
Police Scotland Wildlife Crime Officer, Constable Dan Sutherland, said: “The use of off-road vehicles on protected sites such as Loch Fleet and Ben Wyvis is not only damaging to habitats and wildlife, but may also pose a hazard to members of the public who are responsibly accessing these sites for recreation. The use of motorised vehicles on any land without permission is an offence, and other offences may be committed against wildlife legislation.
“We have already spoken to one person in relation to an incident at Loch Fleet and signs have now been erected at all access points.”
