Efforts are continuing to find the culprits responsible for causing £50,000 worth of damage by fly-tipping at a Fort William beauty spot.
Piles of ugly building waste was left dumped up at Mount Alexander in Camaghael.
Now as part of the project to tackle the problem, large boulders have been placed at the site to stop vehicles from carrying waste there.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) is leading an investigation and a plan of action with support from police and Highland Council.
Sepa officers said it was evident that tradesmen in the area were persistently dumping waste materials to avoid paying the cost of disposal at legitimate waste management sites.
Sepa chief executive officer, Terry A’Hearn, said: “Every day Sepa works to protect and enhance Scotland’s environment. Compliance is not optional and tackling illegal waste management activities is one of our major priorities.
“We are continuing to work with our partners and the local community to address the complaints of persistent fly-tipping at an illegal site at Mount Alexander in Fort William, and to identify the responsible party for clearing the waste.
“Several large boulders have been provided by a local business to prevent vehicles from fly-tipping further waste at the site, and we have held discussions with a nearby landowner about the erection of gates at the site.
“Local communities can help us end criminal flytipping behaviours that blight our land. If you suspect fly tipping is being carried out, or to report illegal traders, please call the Dumb Dumpers Stopline on 0845 230 4090 or complete a form on the dumbdumpers.org website.”
Sepa officers have been visiting local businesses to gather information, check permits and reinforce the responsibilities and obligations that apply to anyone producing, carrying or managing waste.
It is a criminal offense to illegally dispose of waste, with firm obligations on the waste producer to ensure their waste is managed by a Sepa registered waste carrier at a fully-licensed site.
There are significant penalties for traders or business moving or disposing of waste illegally, as well as clean-up costs for landowners with sites used for illegal disposal.
Caol and Mallaig councillor Allan Henderson said fly-tippers could even serve a jail sentence.
She said: “Obviously Sepa felt that they had to do this there, but I am not convinced it will be enough to stop people doing it.”