Snow-holers using new 'poo chute'

The Cairngorms 'poo chute' was launched in November

A "poo chute" designed to help dispose of waste has been well used by climbers and hillwalkers snow-holing in the Cairngorms, park rangers have said.

The facility was launched in November after concerns about faeces found in snow-holes - shelters dug into a snow-covered mountainside.

Heather Morning, of the Cairngorm Ranger Service, said it had generated a lot of interest.

The chute has been set up near the Cairngorm Ski Area car park.

Mrs Morning said: "It has done amazingly well.

"People were out snow-holing before Christmas - the season usually kicks off in January.

"Two groups were out before Christmas and both of them used the chute."

Sterilization barrel

The clean-up effort was launched following concerns about contamination of the River Nethy and Loch Avon Basin.

Human waste was also found in snow holes at Ciste Mhearad and Coire Domhain.

Visitors can pick up bags and a light, rigid bottle with a screw top called a BHD from the ranger base free of charge.

Coming off the hills, walkers and climbers can deposit the bags - which are soluble at 40C - down the chute into a sewage plant and place the bottles in a sterilization barrel.