Rambler numbers prompt Denny farmer to plead for public to practise social distancing

Since lockdown measures were introduced amid the coronavirus outbreak, Hamish Taylor (80) has looked on with disbelief as scores of walkers have descended on Mydub Farm in Denny.

Though the farm’s road has long been a popular place for a stroll for locals, the sheer numbers who are packing out the area for their daily piece of exercise has given Mr Taylor and his wife Margaret cause for concern.

To add to their frustration, the couple have seen their property vandalised in recent weeks with dogs fouling on their grass and items being thrown at horses.

Mr Taylor, who was born on the farm, said: “For over 100 years Denny people have used the road as a walkway.

“It’s private land; we own it and the road.

“We were delighted people used the road to get out in the fresh air but in the last two or three weeks it has become ridiculous.

“There must have been a 300 per cent increase of people using it because of this coronavirus.

“I’ve seen them coming down three abreast when somebody is coming up and it’s only a 10ft-wide path.

“People are having to go down the embankment if you’ve got eight people coming along with children and bikes. It’s unbelievable.

“They’re treating this as a joke.

“People are using it with dogs off leads — the farm road is disgusting with dog dirt.

“I’m going to close it if people don’t respect it.”

He added: “We’ve had two signs stolen.

“They’ve been throwing stones at horses and looking in the stables and we’ve got it on CCTV.

“A man and a woman were picking stuff up with children and throwing it at the horses.

“We have always chatted to people strolling past and people treat it with respect but this isn’t respect now, this is disgraceful.

“We had to borrow barriers from the building site to keep people out.

“They let the kids go round the barriers to look round the buildings. It’s totally and utterly ignorant.

“It’s nice people are able to go out in the country — but not to exploit it.”

Mr Taylor’s concerns come in the same week as SNP MSP Angus MacDonald, Falkirk East representative, urged constituents to “stay local” when exercising and walking dogs.

He has also called on dog walkers and the general public to keep clear of farms where lambing is taking place.

Official advice from the Scottish and UK governments warns that people in Falkirk district should not be driving somewhere with the intent of exercising or walking their dog, with new powers granted to police to enforce these regulations.

Mr MacDonald said: “Of course, exercise is extremely important for people’s physical and mental wellbeing, so it’s important to note that people in Falkirk district can leave their homes for exercise once a day, with members of their own household.

“However, you should only be outside for a reasonable purpose — buying food or essential household or medical supplies; travelling to or carrying out essential work; exercising once a day; or providing care or assistance to others.

“People across the district should make use of gardens, if they can, and stay local when exercising or walking dogs, to ensure that we stop the spread of coronavirus.

“With the school holidays now upon us, it is important to understand that these measures will, undoubtedly, be challenging for every family across the district and across the country. However the challenges we face are still there and, as difficult as it may seem, we must continue to stay home, protect our NHS and save lives.

“In addition, it’s time that dog walkers and ramblers gave farmers a break, especially right now during lambing season. Please, during the current crisis, give sheep farmers a break and keep clear of areas where lambing is taking place.

“This is about saving lives and protecting our NHS. We all recognise how unusual these regulations are, and the Scottish Government will act to remove these restrictions as soon as it is safe to do so.”

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