The Royal Wee: Visitors to Queen’s private Scottish estate are told to stop using it as a wild toilet with public conveniences closed due to Covid-19
- Rangers working on the Balmoral estate posted their plea on social media
- They urged people not to leave non-biodegradable wipes within the grounds
- Balmoral staff also posted guidance to help people who could not wait touse the toilet
Staff at the Queen’s private Scottish estate have told visitors not to use the grounds as a public toilet.
Balmoral Estate rangers took to social media to urge members of the public not to relieve themselves on the grounds and leave behind used toilet wipes – which have been found discarded next to monuments within the grounds.
Writing on Twitter, the rangers said: ‘Disappointed to see so many wipes discarded on the estate today. Next to paths and monuments. Please remember there are no public toilets open for miles around at the moment.’
Balmoral Estate rangers took to social media to urge members of the public not to relieve themselves on the grounds and leave behind used toilet wipes – which have been found discarded next to monuments within the grounds
When one member of the challenged the rangers and pointed out that despite public restrooms still being closed, people do still need to go to the toilet, Balmoral staff responded and said: ‘Part of the problem is that we are seeing a lot of non-biodegradable wipes being discarded in the countryside.
‘Also, people are choosing to relieve themselves right next to busy paths or monuments rather than move a little bit further away to avoid contamination.’
The estate also highlighted the fact that pubic lavatories near Loch Muick, managed by Aberdeenshire Council, had been broken into despite being closed and plastered in yellow tape.
Balmoral Estate posted guidance on Facebook for people who still felt the need to relieve themselves while on the estate.
The post said: ‘If you need to pee, please do so at least 30 metres from lochs or streams. If you need to defecate, do so as far away as possible from buildings, from open water or rivers and streams, and from any farm animals. Bury faeces in a shallow hole and replace the turf. Use biodegradable toilet paper rather than wipes. Thanks for your help.’
The estate also highlighted the fact that pubic lavatories near Loch Muick, managed by Aberdeenshire Council, had been broken into despite being closed and plastered in yellow tape
Balmoral staff also asked that any visitors clean up after themselves and ‘leave no trace’ when they visit the estate. Pictured: An abandoned bonfire discovered by Balmoral staff
The advice caused many people to write angry responses to the post.
Victoria Scarlett said: ‘The fact that you even need to write this post just shows what is wrong with people.’
Gillian Ives added: ‘Some people are awful. Please keep clean!’
Kimberley Tingley said: ‘The human race amaze me. Sorry to all those that have come across the filth and have had to deal with it.’
Police have been handing out warning notices to visitors breaking lockdown restrictions at Balmoral and have also been leaving ‘guidance on essential travel’ on people’s cars.
The mountain Lochnagar near Balmoral is much-loved by Prince Charles who immortalised it in his 1980 children’s book The Old Man Of Lochnagar.
However, just as used toilet wipes are being found on the grounds of Balmoral, Lochnagar has become a dumping ground in recent years.
In 2018 Balmoral posted an image on Facebook of some of the 43lb of rubbish left on the mountain and Princes William and Harry have previously said that their father made them pick up litter while on holiday.