Landslide sparks tidal wave alert on Spey

By Hazel Lawson

Published: 25 April, 2008

An estimated 1,000 tons of earth is threatening to fall into the River Spey at Fochabers. Eric Cormack (NS)

A MASSIVE landslide could cause a huge wave down the River Spey, fishermen have been warned.

About 1,000 tons of earth has shifted on a 120ft cliff at Ordequish, Fochabers, and is threatening to crash down into the water.

Anglers have been told to stay away from the area on the western side of the river.

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A section of a field owned by the Crown Estate has dropped over 8ft since Sunday, leaving a scar across the land. Emergency advice is being sought on how to secure the area, which has been fenced off and warning signs advising people to stay clear have been erected.

Torquil Gordon-Duff, land agent for the Crown Estate in Moray, estimated around 1,000 tons of sandy earth had moved in the slip.

He said: "We are treating this with the utmost urgency and are seeking specialist advice. Fishermen have been advised to move down river and there may be a large wave if everything moves and hits the water."

He added that there had been erosion in the area and further downstream at the Quarry Pool, but described this week's latest landslip as "significant".

The tenant, Gordon Castle Estate, and relevant agencies, including SEPA, are being kept up to date on the situation.

It is thought the sandy soil crumbled because of dry conditions over the winter months.

Margaret Bailey regularly walks her border collie dog Charlie along the riverside path near her home in Fochabers, and became concerned after the earth on the bank had moved dramatically from Monday night to Tuesday morning.

She said: "I was watching it for about 10 minutes this morning (Tuesday) and the earth was constantly moving, it just keeps falling bit by bit. If it all comes down it could block the river.

"I've always said they must get a gorgeous view of the Spey from the houses up there, but I don't want it now."

John Brown's house is perched on top of the cliff, and his garden has crept closer to the steep drop, now only a few feet from the end of his garden.

The retired engineer has lived in the house with his wife Karen for 18 years. One family has moved because of the landslide.

Badgers had made their home in the ground at the top of the bank on the edge of the Brown's garden, but there has been no sign of the nocturnal animals since the slip.

Mr Brown said: "There's a badger sett at the other side (of my garden) and they had four or five young who I think moved in here. We see badgers most nights, but I think they've gone."

He said the Crown Estate was acting "quickly and professionally" and he was optimistic that a solution would be found to stabilise the land.

h.lawson@northern-scot.co.uk

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