Party-goers trashed beauty spot

An all-day party was held in this gazebo.

A group of young men gathered in a gazebo on the Meldon Hills last Saturday morning and began a day of partying and drinking.

Shocking pictures have been shared on social media accounts of the debris left behind after the group vacated the site, including bottles, cans, carrier bags and black coal strewn across the area.

The abandoned gazebo was left semi-collapsed at the rural spot, surrounded by torched grass and piles of rubbish.

Members of the public have taken to social media to express their anger and outrage.

One wrote: “Surely this is criminal damage? Fine every single member of the group and give them community service in the countryside.”

Another said: “This ruins the countryside, endangers animals – both livestock and wild – degrades the appeal of the site which probably brought the campers in the first place and makes responsible campers unwelcome.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police were called around 11.30am on Saturday, 18 July, to a report of a large number of cars and people arriving at ‘The Meldons’, Peebles.

“Officers attended and advice and assistance was given. There were no issues and people were compliant on officers attending.

“On Sunday, July 19, around 3pm, police were called regarding a large amount of rubbish and a marquee burnt out.

“Advice was given to speak to the council regarding the rubbish left behind.

“However, local officers have been made aware of the issue.”

Members of the group posted images of themselves on various social media sites as they partied late into the night, with some bare-chested and others donning fur coats.

One party-goer from the camping crowd has since apologised for the actions of the group, saying members at the gathering, which was about 20-strong, had returned to clear their mess up later in the day.

He added: “It was left for a couple hours because the stuff we needed to clean it wasn’t available at the time due to certain reasons.

“It was completely cleaned and not one piece of rubbish was left. Sorry for any inconvenience.”