Local Labour MSP Colin Smyth has said that he is disappointed that Dumfries and Galloway’s Coastline has become a hotspot for litter and waste after a new map identifying Scotland’s coastline litter hotspots has been launched.

The Scottish Coastal Rubbish Aerial Photography (SCRAPbook) was collated by three charities – The Marine Conservation Society, Sky Watch Civil Air Patrol and the Moray Firth Partnership. The map was created using pictures taken from the sky and uploaded to the SCRAPbook website.

When litter is discovered it is classified on a scale of 1 – 5, with 5 being the worst and identifiable on the map with a red marking. The Dumfries and Galloway Coastline has been given 15 red markings.

The map can be used by any individual or organisation and it is hoped it will encourage more people to get involved in tackling the litter problem.

Colin Smyth said, “It is disappointing that our coastline here in Dumfries and Galloway, has become a hot spot for litter and waste. danger that waste on our beaches causes to wildlife, young children and to our fantastic scenery is quite substantial which is why it is important that attitudes and practices change.  I would also like to give my thanks to the many volunteers who organise and carry out litter picks on our coastline and to the charities who have developed this map. There is no doubt that they have exposed what is a real emergency across Scotland that has to be tackled and hopefully this is a wakeup call to everyone that we just can’t keep treating our environment with such contempt.”