Early-risers in the Capital left dismayed by the state the Meadows was left in by hundreds of partying youths

Youths partying on the Meadows on Saturday night left the city green space in a terrible state – littered with beer bottles, cardboard drinks boxes and plastic cups.

The sad sight was spotted by early risers in the Capital including Scottish writer, Ian Rankin, who shared pictures of the state of the Meadows on Sunday morning on his Twitter account.

The litter can be seen to cover most of the grass and includes dozens of glass and plastic bottles, food wrappers, and plastic bags and cups.

Eyewitnesses estimated that there were between 200 and 300 young people gathered on the Meadows last night, Saturday, March, 20, despite lockdown regulations still prohibiting gatherings of more than four people outdoors.

Hundreds of youths partying on the Meadows last night left the park covered in litter.

They were reported to be drinking in the park with loud music blaring.

Twitter users who saw Mr Rankin’s tweet shared his disappointment at the state the park had been left in, with one saying acts like this is the reason he no longer visits the Meadows.

One person responded: “I feel sad that this is the generation who is supposed to be most worried about climate change. Good and smart people don’t do this sort of thing no matter what age they are...”

Another echoed this, saying: “Urgh, those people are just pigs. I went out litter picking yesterday morning, I was so sick of this near where I live.

"I didn’t even get a fraction of it before my black bag was full (and broken with all the broken glass in it).

"I don’t understand litter louts at all.”

Several others suggested that the litter ought to be left there for the culprits to clean up, although despite agreeing with the concept, other users were put off by the fear of rats.

One more person added: “I really find it hard to understand why people cannot manage the simplest of thoughtful behaviour.”

Police confirmed they attended the scene at the Meadows last night to break up the gathering after receiving complaints of youth disorder.

There were similar scenes on Monday, March, 15, when police were called to disperse crowds of St Patrick’s Day revellers who swarmed to the Meadows with reports of loud music and people drinking.

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