Public health concerns have been raised amidst allegations human waste is building up on a popular Moray campsite after facilities were axed amidst budget cuts.
The toilets at the Fiddoch Park by Craigellachie were closed by Moray Council – along with others across the region – at the end of June.
Situated on the popular tourist route the Speyside Way, however, the camp site has continued to be well used by visitors.
There were about ten tents on display on Monday night, with even more tourists using the site last weekend during the Aberlour Highland Games.
Many campers have, however, been caught out by the lack of toilets and running water on the campsite, which continues to be overseen by the local authority.
For the wider community, there are fears the downgrade could have an adverse impact upon vitally important tourism.
And more worryingly, in the short term at least, there have been serious public safety concerns raised amidst reports human waste has built up throughout the site.
Speyside Glenlivet councillor Derek Ross was against the toilet closures and has called on the council to do something about the Craigellachie site on “safety grounds.”
He said: “It just doesn’t make any sense that Fiddoch Park is advertised as a campsite but has no toilets or running water.
“The council should have a look at the closure on safety grounds because of the amount of human waste here and the lack of running water.
“We’ve just had an incredibly busy spring and summer period in Speyside and to have the campsite affected so badly is ridiculous.”
Marion Ross, chairwoman of the Speyside Community Council believes that the toilet closure will have a severely negative effect on tourism in the area.
She said: “There have been articles in the paper lauding tourism numbers in area, with them being at the highest in history, but that will be affected by the fact there are no public conveniences at Fiddich Park.
“Being unable to find toilets can cause a bad experience for tourists and this could cause them not to come back here and their money is invaluable to many in the community.”
Councillors decided to close the toilets at Craigellachie at their budget-setting meeting in February and unless a group comes forward to run the facilities this will be the permanent position.
Although there are currently no interested parties, the council is open to any approach from local groups.
Moray Council cannot make any decisions about the public toilets until September at the earliest due to council protocol.