And at a time when campaigners are seeking World Heritage Site status for Loch Ness, people are tipping heavy-duty household waste such as fridges, washing machines and television sets along the shore.

"It's a bloody disgrace," said veteran Foyers fisherman Ala MacGruer, who has had a boat on Loch Ness all his life. "We are trying to promote tourism and there is all this rubbish on the loch side.

He said: "People looking across the loch from my boat shed see all these white things on the other side and wonder what they are.

"It's only when you cross the loch you discover its a dumping ground for fridges, washing machines, all sorts of stuff. There was even a motorbike there one time. It's a damn disgrace.

"One of the boys was out in his boat when a TV was thrown over and exploded on the shore. He got a hell of a fright and shouted at the guy, but was told to f*** off."

One of the main dumping grounds is close to the site of the old Ruskie Inn on the north side of Loch Ness, between the Altsigh Youth Hostel and Balbeg, in an area known locally by loch users as the Sandbank.

And Mr MacGruer said the area around Inverfarigaig near Foyers was also being used as a dumping ground.

"There are TVs, hoovers, all sorts of things being thrown over from the laybys," he said. "The council provide a service and there is also the recycling centre. Why don't people use them?"

The litter louts were also blasted by Willie Cameron, of Loch Ness Marketing – one of the organisations leading the push for the loch to be designated a World Heritage Site which could lead to a multi-million pound spin-off for the area.

"It's almost as if they are getting some sort of perverted thrill to go out and dump rubbish," fumed Mr Cameron.

"As far as I am concerned it is totally unacceptable people dumping their rubbish willy-nilly anywhere, never mind Loch Ness which is an icon as far as tourism in Scotland is concerned.

"It's totally unacceptable for people coming into the area, or living here all their lives, to see the landscape littered by the products of modern society.

"The authorities should make the penalty for fly-tipping so severe that this practice will come to an end."

Tippers are turning this beauty spot by Loch Ness into an ugly dumping ground. Alasdair Allen

And, he asked: "If that is how these people treat the countryside, how are they treating their houses?"

He said apart from being unsightly, the illegal dumping could also be dangerous with rusty metal and broken glass.

He believed there was also a health and safety issue for workmen trying to clean up, as the rubbish was invariably at the bottom of steep embankments.

"Loch Ness is the jewel in the crown of Scottish tourism, yet a few people are prepared to treat it in this way. They should be ashamed of themselves," he said.

A Highland Council spokesman urged anyone spotting fly-tipping to report it to the local authority as soon as possible.

The spokesman said: "Local authorities, along with SEPA and the police, have powers to issue notices for fly-tipping offences of £50. The maximum fine available in summary proceedings for fly-tipping is £40,000.

"There is no excuse for fly-tipping, which is illegal.

"Highland Council provides a bulky uplift service to collect large domestic items of furniture, consumer goods or items which cannot fit into wheeled bins, such as chairs, tables, sofas, beds, cupboards, fridges, freezers, and cookers.

"To request a bulky uplift the public can phone the council on 01463 702000. Waste Aware Scotland's "Sort It" website, www.sort-it.org.uk, also provides detailed information on civic amenity sites and recycling facilities available in each local authority."

l.ford@spp-group.com

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