Mystery packages found at Keiss were 'not biological'
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The man who found three mystery packages on the east coast of Caithness has been told that they contained nothing more hazardous than hydraulic oil.
Nigel Eustace had reason to believe there may have been dangerous liquid inside the semi-transparent bags after he discovered them on the shore at Keiss.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), the country's environmental regulator, launched an investigation and issued a statement yesterday saying the substances were "not biological".
Mr Eustace said: “It seems very odd to me. It seems to have come off a boat.”
The 63-year-old spotted two packages on the shore near Keiss Castle on Sunday, May 23, and a third on the shingle beach at Stain, south of the village, on Tuesday, May 25.
Each one had a graphic stating "UN3373" above the words "biological substance, category B" in three languages. Internet checks suggest that specimens marked UN3373 are "human or animal materials" being transported for diagnosis or investigation.
The packages had individual reference numbers and barcodes.
Mr Eustace alerted Highland Council and other authorities, having taken care to use gloves when handling the packages and to store them in additional plastic bags.
He said yesterday he had been contacted by someone from SEPA who thanked him for reporting the matter and told him about the outcome of the investigation.
"She said they think it is hydraulic fluid and other fluid. They are happy that it's not biological," Mr Eustace said.
“She said she was going to discuss it with her boss to see if he was going to take it any further."
He added: “They said, 'Are you happy with that explanation then?'
"Who am I to say? If I'd said 'no', what would they do – would they have gone and investigated it further and tested it?
“I'm a layman and they're the experts.”
A spokesperson for SEPA said yesterday: "SEPA is content that the samples contained within the bags were not biological and has provided Highland Council with advice on appropriate disposal. While it is not possible to identify the source due to the condition of the labels, if any further information comes to SEPA’s attention we will, of course, investigate further.
“We would advise members of the public who find waste on beaches to contact their local authority in the first instance.”
A Highland Council spokesperson said last week its advice to members of the public if they find any such items is to avoid contact and get in touch with SEPA.
Mr Eustace is an ex-RAF corporal who also held a number of UK government posts. Originally from Gloucestershire, he is now retired and has been living in Keiss for six years.
He is a keen bird-watcher who walks up to six miles each day with his dog Max.
