Loch Ness litter-picking legend picks up inaugural award
A young litter-picking legend has been recognised by his community for his dedicated efforts in clearing up a beach by Loch Ness.
Jamie Forrester (14), of Dores, has taken it upon himself to gather rubbish regularly from the nearby beach with its world-famous view down the loch.
The inspirational teenager has now been awarded the inaugural Citizen of the Year Award by Dores and Essich Community Council whose members unanimously agreed he should be the first recipient for his volunteer work.
The citation stated: “Your community spirit is a stand out act of unselfish practice which we would love to see repeated in as many ways as possible, and we sincerely hope that it will be an example to us all.”
He received a certificate and voucher for £120 for Graham’s Outdoor shop in Inverness.
Jamie, a pupil at Inverness Royal Academy, first started picking litter at the beach when he was about seven or eight years old.
Sometimes he goes with friends but often gathers rubbish on his own – sometimes collecting up to 10 bags of litter in a week.
“A lot of the time it is packets and wrappers and small pieces of plastic,” he said.
“Sometimes I will find glass bottles.”
Jamie, who is passionate about the environment and tackling climate change, says the rubbish left by people makes him angry.
“My message would be to make sure you take all your stuff with you before you leave,” he said.
Long-time Nessie hunter Steve Feltham, who lives in a converted mobile library overlooking the beach, has seen at first hand the difference Jamie’s efforts have made.
“He is a one-man legend,” Mr Feltham said.
“He is so dedicated and he seems to get a great deal of pleasure making the place look pristine.
“Litter is a big problem. Some gets washed in but we also get weekend groups who come in for parties and leave their rubbish.
“Jamie relentlessly clears it up.”
He was presented with his award with the longest-serving community councillor and past chairwoman Ella Macrae who said the community wanted to say ‘thank you’.
“It is nice that at his age he is doing this,” she said. “It is really appreciated.”
Community council chairman John Martin said Jamie’s efforts had inspired setting up the award.
“It was his work which made us think of doing it – and it was a unanimous decision to award it to Jamie,” he said.
Jamie’s parents, John and Alison, said they were proud of his efforts which also include clearing up litter in other parts of the village and after the Loch Ness Marathon.
