Tourists heading to Scotland have been given a stern warning by locals. Holidaymakers have come under fire for stone-stacking across Scotland, from the Inner Hebrides to the Isle of Skye. Stacking stones is an age-old tradition, but the increased rate is apparently damaging the environment. It apparently became popular after appearing in blockbuster film ‘The BFG’.

Both locals and environmentalists have a problem with stone-stacking, saying that it erodes the land and makes life hard for animals. Talking to the Scotsman, dog-walker Claire Irons aired out her complaints. “It is just not right – people should go there just to see the surroundings, not to build a pile of stones. It is causing an erosion problem”, she said. “Since the BFG was filmed here it has been on the film trail”, Irons added.

John Hourston, founder of Blue Planet Society, also has a problem with stone-stacking. Talking with the Scotsman, he blamed social media for the popularity of stone-stacking. “We are talking about a base of people, backpackers and adventurers, who should have a concept of ‘leave no trace’ … the overpowering urge is to prove they’ve been there on Instagram or social media”, he added.

What do you think? Is stone-stacking a serious problem? Or should the locals just get over it?