Drinking and anti-social behaviour is spoiling a historic site in a Lochaber town and now the police are clamping down on the problem.
Restoration and other improvement work have been carried out at the Old Fort in Fort William, but groups drinking near the ruins and leaving litter on the shore are putting tourists off visiting the area.
Local police are now appealing for anyone who sees such behaviour taking place to report it to them.
And a voluntary group, which cares for the ancient building, is also looking at the possibility of installing CCTV cameras and lighting.
The former military stronghold built in 1690 – from which the town of Fort William takes its name – is owned by Transport Scotland.
Parts of the ruins have scheduled monument status from Historic Scotland and a group of local volunteers set up Friends of the Old Fort to make the most of the ancient building.
The group’s chairman, Norrie MacLean, who runs Berkeley House B&B said: “Having been involved in the hospitality business for 17 years and having seen the demand for our historic past, I realise our Old Fort remains are a priceless asset.
“We have a problem with local guys going down and drinking on the beach and frightening away the tourists. They take beer onto the beach and smash the bottles on the rocks.
“So we are now looking at putting in CCTV and lighting to discourage anti-social behaviour.”
He added that, earlier this year, the ruins were fenced to protect people from the walls that were becoming unsafe, but the fence was ripped up and burnt about a week later.
Mr MacLean said it had since been replaced and they were now trying to get the walls repaired.
A police spokesman said: “A number of isolated incidents of anti-social behaviour and littering have been reported to police.
“Members of the public should contact police if they observe any such behaviour, remembering that the local by-law of not drinking in a public place applies to this area.”
Anyone wishing to report antisocial behaviour in the Old Fort area should contact local police on 101.