Illegal sand and gravel extraction damaging Tiree’s beaches

Concerns have been raised by Tiree’s community amid reports of tonnes of sand and gravel being frequently removed in tractor trailer loads from beaches including Hough and Balephetrish.

The island’s beaches are famed for their white sand and turquoise waters. Generations of locals and visitors enjoy visiting for recreation, while many local industries, such as tourism, crofting and hospitality benefit from their presence.

Tiree’s beaches, machair and moorland are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest in recognition of their nationally important habitats and species.

Certain activities, including sand and gravel extraction from designated beaches or croftland, need consent from both NatureScot and the landowner but this has not been requested or permitted for the volumes reportedly being removed.

Colin MacFarlane, Operations Manager form NatureScot, said: “Tiree’s beaches are wonderful places to enjoy nature. They also act as a natural buffer against rising sea levels and intense storms, protecting infrastructure, homes and land. Digging into dunes, excavating strand lines and removing tonnes of material threatens this natural protection and should be a concern on such a low-lying island.

“Whatever its use, the key message is that the removal of trailer loads of sand and gravel from Tiree’s beaches is not permitted, sustainable and needs to stop.

“By acting now, we hope the damage to these beaches can be limited, so that the island is resilient to winter storms and rising sea levels, and current and future generations can continue to enjoy them.”

Argyll Estates, which owns the beaches on Tiree, allows crofters and farmers to take a small amount of material, for example a single tractor bucket load for their own agricultural use. This does not allow tractor trailer loads of material to be removed, nor does it permit the gifting, trading or selling of the material for any other purpose. No other business other than a licensed gravel quarry at Hynish has permission to take sand and gravel from Tiree’s beaches.

Argyll Estates Factor, Hugh Nicol, said “We have had reports of a small minority of people without permission, removing significant quantities of material from Tiree’s beaches.  Aware of the unauthorised removal, we have been clear on our policies which seek to protect both the community and environment.  For these policies to be effective, we require both community and regulatory body support.”

These policies can be found at: www.argyllestates.com 

NatureScot and Argyll Estates are hopeful that the unpermitted activities will halt by raising awareness of the issue and we will work with Police Scotland to investigate any reported activities. To that end, we encourage the public to contact Police Scotland if they see an ongoing incident where material is being removed from the beach in a trailer, or indeed frequent bucketloads.

ENDS