Balmoral estate managers hit out at face mask litterbugs

Face mask litter has been attacked by the Queen’s Balmoral estate after managers said that increasing amounts of protective equipment have been discarded.

It follows a number of similar incidents throughout the summer, which saw piles of rubbish and discarded tents left on the Aberdeenshire grounds.

“Unfortunately our rangers have to litter pick every day,” Balmoral managers wrote on social media.

“We are seeing an increasing amount of discarded face masks on the estate which is adding to our work load. Please dispose of all your litter and PPE responsibly.”

Rangers had previously pleaded with members of the public to stop using the space as a “wild toilet” after toilet roll, wipes, and even human waste were found beside paths.

Members of the public have been urged to camp responsibly and to “leave no trace” after outrage from those living locally who described the amount of litter as “diabolical”.

Two of the shelters maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association, which operates more than 100 such shelters in the most remote parts of the United Kingdom, have been locked as a result of irresponsible behaviour.

The private Balmoral residence - which is open to the public between April and July every year - was obtained by the Royal Family when it was bought by Queen Victoria in 1852, and every summer it has played host to members of the family.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip spent their annual summer retreat at Balmoral in recent months after they underwent four months of self-isolation at Sandringham at the height of the coronavirus outbreak.

A significant increase in personal protective equipment washing up on beaches has been seen during the pandemic, leading to warnings from experts that it may not break down for generations.

The single-use coverings that have been discovered by members of the public and on the shores of Suffolk and Sussex may not fully decompose for 450 years, according to environmentalists.

The campaigning charity Keep Britain Tidy has highlighted the risk to marine wildlife of face masks being improperly discarded, especially those which end up in storm drains connected to the sea.