Officials say ever-increasing DIY cairns are ruining mountains in Highlands, as well as potentially misdirecting other walkers

Building “mini cairns” on Scottish mountains has become a popular way for walkers to leave a memorial, create a photo opportunity, or hide their rubbish. However, the ever-increasing piles of rocks are ruining Ben Nevis and other mountains in the Highlands, officials have warned.

Large navigational cairns are already in place on many Scottish mountains, built especially to stick above the snow and guide walkers along the right path to the summit.

According to the John Muir Trust conservation charity, Ben Nevis, which stands at 4,409ft (1,344m), as well as peaks near Loch Ness, have been blighted by new DIY cairns, which not only detract from the scenery but also present a hazard by misdirecting other walkers.

In the worst cases, visitors are even leaving excrement under the stones. The most bizarre items found under unofficial Ben Nevis cairns in recent years include a wheelchair and a piano.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Undated photo issued by the John Muir Trust of Paul Nelson and Andrew Hunter with a piano that they found on Ben Nevis. Photograph: John Muir Trust/Press Association

Fran Lockhart of the John Muir Trust said rangers have had to remove hundreds of the mini cairns on Ben Nevis. “There are official cairns built to stick up above the snow in wintertime to help people navigate,” she said. “But people have begun building additional cairns in various parts which can be misleading. It is our job to take them down.

“When we take some of these cairns to bits we find things underneath, like rubbish and even piles of poo. Occasionally you get one which is quite robust and built as a memorial.

“It’s hard to know where to draw the line, but we are continually having to clear new ones which have been made. It just gets bonkers – it takes one or two people to start it and now it’s gone daft.”

Lockhart issued a plea for walkers to leave the scenery as it is. “People think it’s a fun thing to do but we would prefer them to leave the countryside as it is,” she added. “They detract from the scenery and now we clear any new cairns that appear on the summit.”

Pictures taken by the roadside next to Loch Loyne and areas of Skye show hundreds of neat piles of stones against the breathtaking backdrop of mountains and lakes.

Many people have expressed their exasperation at the photographs, which have been shared around social media. Chris MacIntyre from Glasgow said: “Have to say I hate them! Ugly and messy, littering up beautiful spots.”

Rob Wood wrote: “Like a demolition site, it’s awful. Talk about a blot on the landscape.”

Sara Downes added: “Places that used to be lovely are now covered in them, you can’t walk anywhere.”