I tend to avoid Roseberry summit on weekends. It’s bustling up there, not my cup of tea. I crave the sweet solitude of the hills. But these days, being out in the countryside is like the coolest thing to do. Blame it on the pandemic or whatever, but it’s not like the old days. Ah, that Welsh word ‘hiraeth‘ comes to mind — the yearning to revisit a place or a moment now vanished (or maybe never existed in the first place).
Unfortunately, along with the trend for fresh air and fitness, there’s an upturn in the inappropriate behaviour of many visitors. Even world-renown tourist destinations, like the Colosseum in Rome, are having to deal with mindless vandalism1Guy, Jack, and Sharon Braithwaite. 2023. ‘More Tourists Caught Defacing Rome’s Ancient Colosseum’, CNN (CNN) <https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/rome-colosseum-viral-vandals-scli-intl/index.html> [accessed 28 January 2024]. What’s the culprit behind all this nonsense, you might ask? I reckon the influence of social media is to blame.
Thanks to Instagram and TikTok, everyone’s on the hunt for these so-called ‘hidden gems’ to add to their bucket list. The countryside has become the people’s playground, not a bad thing in itself, but that comes with its own set of issues. When folks see their friends having a wonderful time in picturesque places on their socials, they think ‘I want some of that‘ without realising, whether consciously or not, that it’s not acceptable to behave in the countryside in exactly the same way as they do in their home communities.
The urge to post every photo and video on social media is just irresistible, especially when you’re in some stunning locale. But it’s a never-ending loop of self-indulgence. Someone sees their friend’s posts, gets the itch to visit the same place, and then uploads similar photos. And where do these photos end up? Right back on the same social networks where they got the inspiration in the first place.
For many, going to the same spots as their social circle or online friends is all about flaunting their social status. Sadly, it often means they’re more focused on creating content than actually respecting the countryside.
Roseberry Topping may not be in the same league as the Colosseum in Rome, but it certainly isn’t immune to misbehaviour. Graffiti on the sandstone crags is an age-old way of saying ‘I woz ‘ere.‘ Littering is a timeless tradition whenever folks gather in numbers. Cycling off public bridleways, intrusive low-flying drones, dogs causing havoc with sheep — the list is endless.
So, by posting this here, am I just part of the issue?
- 1Guy, Jack, and Sharon Braithwaite. 2023. ‘More Tourists Caught Defacing Rome’s Ancient Colosseum’, CNN (CNN) <https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/rome-colosseum-viral-vandals-scli-intl/index.html> [accessed 28 January 2024]
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