HERRING gulls which have based themselves on the roof of the dilapidated King Malcolm Hotel are causing issues for Pitcorthie locals, according to one resident.

The long-suffering householder, who didn't want to be named, said the problem has got worse in recent months and years after, he says, some were moved from the roof of Pitreavie Primary by the council.

He said he believes as many as 25 pairs of gulls have taken up home at the old hotel with some now moving onto nearby house roofs.

"It has been terrible with the parent birds swooping on anyone who got near to the nest or recently when the young bird eventually got off the roof because it still couldn’t fly, this happens with their young sometimes," he said.

"The parents will always become aggressive if you get too near to the young bird, understandable, but we shouldn’t be having to put up with this situation because the council had them moved from the school!

"This has been going on since before the pandemic where just walking in certain areas of the estate meant you had to be careful. They have their nests/young starting in February where they are scouting and looking a safe nesting environment and a plentiful supply of food which they get from the high school not far from us! This goes on all the way to at least October!

"Herring gulls come back every year. The pair that have chicks across the road on someone's roof will be back every year and so will their chicks."

The resident is concerned that the issue – along with other antisocial behaviour issues – will worsen while the King Malcolm hotel remains abandoned.

"It is all because what is going on over there," he added.

Fife Council advise anyone with gull issues to refer to guidance on their website.

It warns residents not to feed or leave food for the gulls.

The website states: "It’s a simple solution that will really help - everyone can play a part and make a massive difference. The availability of food encourages the birds to high streets and public places. They are what's known as 'opportunistic feeders', and will scavenge in towns for food dropped by pedestrians or thrown out of cars.

"The council have no statutory duty to deal with gulls, so we really need your help. If there is nothing for them to eat, the birds won’t be attracted to these places.

"Owners and occupiers can give someone else permission to act on their behalf, if they're having a problem with seagulls. We recommend that you get specialist advice from a pest control company before committing to getting work done."