A GROUP of rogue Travellers left an Aberdeenshire beauty spot just hours before they faced eviction.
The rogue Travellers camp of four caravans moved out of Tollohill Wood car park on the Banchory-Devenick road.
The move came after landowners Banchory and Leggart Estates started legal action to have the group removed from the site just off South Deeside Road in Aberdeenshire.
Rupert Lumsden contacted his solicitor after the rogue Travellers failed to move on after telling him they would only be at the Aberdeenshire site for two days.
It was believed they left the Tollohill Wood car park between 6.30pm and 8pm on Wednesday.
The rogue Travellers’ eviction hearing had been due to call at Stonehaven Sheriff Court on Thursday.
Residents in the Aberdeenshire car park area today said they were pleased the rogue Travellers had moved on.
One man, who did not want to be named, said: “It is good to get the car park back to normal so other people can use it.
“Hopefully that will be the end of it and they won’t come back.
“Leaving before the court date seems as though they are playing the system.
Resident, of Aberdeen’s Leggart Terrace, Roy Wilson, 77, said: “I am glad they have moved on. It is ridiculous that Travellers have more rights than people who pay council tax.”
The Evening Express visited the Tollohill Wood car park site and there was no mess.
Mr Lumsden, Banchory and Leggart Estates, said: “I am very pleased they have moved on. They have left it in a very tidy condition.”
Meanwhile, the rogue Travellers which had set up an encampment on Aberdeenshire land owned by businessman Stewart Milne have moved from the site.
Six caravans appeared on the Leathan Fields development at Portlethen last week.
The Stewart Milne Group was going to take legal action if the Travellers remained at the Aberdeenshire site.
kwilson@ajl.co.uk