Yahoo News Anger after tourists drive 4x4 onto protected beauty spot
Residents claimed the family refused to leave the location in Scotland despite warnings of an incoming tide.
Tourists who parked their 4x4 on a protected beauty spot on a Scottish Island and then pitched up a safari tent have sparked anger among locals.
Residents claimed the family had refused to leave the location on Northton Beach on the Isle of Harris despite being warned about the dangers of the incoming tide.
A photo posted by a resident on the island's Facebook group on Thursday showed the tourists on the beach, with the local claiming they had not heeded warnings.
They wrote: “When asked why they said we are not doing anything wrong and there is no sign saying no camping.”
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The images posted on social media led other users to call the set up "disrespectful".
An update on Twitter said the tourists had eventually moved their 4x4 to a safer area and later left the beach, leaving no trace they were there.
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) allows wild camping, but it’s unclear if a 4x4 would be included.
Its website says: “Access rights extend to wild camping. This type of camping is lightweight, done in small numbers and only for two or three nights in any one place.”
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The Visit Outer Hebrides website added: “Whilst we would always encourage you to use campsites for all or most of your trip, we realise that you may need to wild camp at times – especially whilst traversing the Hebridean Way where there are parts where there is not much accommodation provision.
“Just to be clear when we talk of wild camping we dont mean camping next to your car, (this is not wild camping!) we mean pitching up way off the beaten track and away from communities.”
Northton Bay has been classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
