“We were a bit shocked after starting to tackle the pile of tyres that we realised we were looking at over 300.”
More than 300 tyres, illegally dumped into Loch Ness, sparked a joint clean-up operation involving the Highland Council and salmon farming company Mowi.
The incident, which took place between January 27 and 28, 2024, near the A82, was reported to Highland Council on January 29. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is leading the investigation into this act of environmental vandalism.
Responding to the call for assistance, Mowi volunteered its resources alongside the Ness District Salmon Fishery Board to aid in the removal of the tyres from the iconic Scottish loch.
Over three days, beginning February 5, Mowi staff worked in challenging weather conditions and difficult terrain alongside Highland Council workers to retrieve the tyres, some of which were scattered halfway up the banks of Loch Ness, according to a release from the Scottish council.
“We were a bit shocked after starting to tackle the pile of tyres that we realised we were looking at over 300,” said Mowi Farm Manager Peter Walker.
“After many people working many hours and several boat trips later, we were able to retrieve all tyres for safe disposal or recycle, including another pile further down the loch. We hope whoever is responsible for this is caught and it never happens again.”
Mowi was able to re-use 100 of the tyres as part of its operations and approximately 200 were left to Highland Council to dispose of.
Inquiries are ongoing to identify those responsible for dumping the tyres from the side of the A82 into Loch Ness.
