Fundraisers who left an ironing board atop Ben Nevis after “extreme ironing” have been told to remove it by a national charity.
Photographs of the board in the ruined observatory were posted by a bemused hillwalker on social media, sparking a backlash.
Reports say three men scaled Britain’s highest mountain in August as part of a three-peaks challenge to raise money for Dementia UK, but left the item behind.
Jenny Robinson, senior challenge events manager, said: “We are grateful to all the fundraisers who help support Dementia UK, but urge anyone taking on outdoor challenges to show consideration for their surroundings, local wildlife and other people.
“An ironing board had been left on Ben Nevis by an independent fundraiser and [we] are liaising with them to ensure it is safely removed as soon as possible.”
It is not uncommon for household items to be carried to the top of Ben Nevis as part of fundraising efforts for charities.
In April, a former soldier made it to the top of the 1,345m (4,413 ft) peak with a fridge on his back. Other strange items reportedly left on Ben Nevis include a church organ, a toilet seat and a three foot garden gnome.
The John Muir Trust, which shares responsibility for its management, said the rule is “leave nothing behind”. A spokesperson said the summit “would start to look like a Home Bargains store” if all charity walkers left their items behind, but added: “A lot of people raise money for great causes on Ben Nevis and we don’t want to discourage that.”