Mowi praised for clearing fly-tipper's monster mess from Loch Ness

Salmon farmer Mowi Scotland has been praised by Highland Council for helping to clear more than 300 tyres dumped down a steep bank from the A82 on to the shore of Loch Ness.

The fly-tipping at a lay-by near Drumnadrochit was discovered by members of Ness District Salmon Fishery Board and reported to Highland Council on Monday, January 29. The incident is believed to have occurred sometime over the weekend between January 27 and 28.

The fishery board and Mowi volunteered to take part in a joint operation to remove all the tyres, with Mowi providing both manpower and boats to access the shoreline.

We were a bit shocked when we realised we were looking at over 300 tyres ... we hope whoever is responsible for this is caught

Loch Ness farm manager
Peter Walker

Treading carefully

Mowi staff worked alongside Highland Council operatives over a three-day period to clear the tyres, which was a slow process due to inclement weather and the location of the tyres, some of which were halfway up the steep banks of the loch.

The salmon producer was able to repurpose 100 of the tyres as bumpers for barges, boats, etc., and approximately 200 were left to Highland Council to dispose of. The clean-up happened between February 5-7.

Graham Mackenzie, chairman of Highland Council’s Communities and Place Committee, said: “The Council is extremely grateful for the support which ensured this horrendous incidence of fly-tipping was dealt with quickly.

“The location of the tyres made recovery problematic but was made possible thanks to some fantastic collaborative work between our staff, staff from Mowi, and members of the Ness Salmon Fishery Board.”

SEPA probe

An investigation into the illegal dumping is being led by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and anyone with information is urged to contact the agency.

Peter Walker, Mowi farm manager, Loch Ness, said: “We were a bit shocked after starting to tackle the pile of tyres that we realised we were looking at over 300. After many people working many hours and several boat trips later, we were able to retrieve all tyres for safe disposal or recycle, including another pile further down the loch. We hope whoever is responsible for this is caught and it never happens again.”