John Muir Trust volunteers at work at Sandwood Bay

Volunteers from a conservation charity cleared more than 600 bags of rubbish from wild areas last year, clocking up 5,600 hours of unpaid work.

John Muir Trust supporters took part in 24 organised conservation work parties across Scotland – plus a week of work in Iceland.

The work parties, involving 153 people, undertook clean-ups from the Western Isles to the Scottish Borders, and to the Icelandic nature reserve Skàlanes. Participants cleared 654 bags of rubbish from beaches and inshore lochs, maintained 20km of paths, and tackled invasive plants such as giant rhubarb, rhododendron and Himalayan balsam.

Among the volunteers was Rona McAlpine from Croachy near Inverness. After finding herself with spare time after going from full- to part-time work she decided to join the trust’s work parties.

Ms McAlpine took part in seven parties and, despite enduring the freezing cold clearing litter from Ben Nevis in August, is planning to help again next year.

Rona McAlpine

She said: “I wanted to use my free time to do some of the things I really like to do, and to try to strike a balance between having a lower income but a greater degree of personal satisfaction.

“I joke that I’ve become addicted to work parties but I really just enjoy them. It gets me out in the wilds, gives me the opportunity to learn new skills, and lets me meet a lot of different people.

“The most difficult task I’ve done with the trust was clearing litter from the top of Ben Nevis. Although it was only at the end of August it was blowing a gale at the summit and so cold my fingers were freezing. I love the hills but it was extremely difficult to pick up any litter.

“I’m certainly going to get involved again next year. There are so many other places I’d like to go to work at that I haven’t been to yet, and I’m sure I’ll try to squeeze in a few I’ve already tried.”

Sandy Maxwell, co-ordinator of the JMT’s work parties, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who’s given up their time to come and help us this year. I’m always impressed by the number of our members and supporters who come forward to take part in practical conservation work.

“Their efforts go a long way towards restoring native habitats and helping to keep wild places in good condition. A few of our volunteers having been turning out regularly in all weather for about 20 years.”

Of 20 bags of rubbish collected from Ben Nevis in three visits, nearly half consisted of banana skins. Several cairns were also removed from the mountain.

Work on paths included Camasunary, Blaven, Keppoch, Coire Dhorrcail, Sandwood, Quinag, Schiehallion, Skàlanes in Iceland and the Road to the Isles on Corrour Estate.

On East Schiehallion and Li and Coire Dhorrcail, 2km of deer fencing was removed  and 500m of stock fence was taken down at Glenlude.