The chairperson of an Arbroath heritage group has hit out at the “mindless vandalism” at the town’s historic abbey.
A two-day spate of attacks on the building saw yobs climb up scaffolding to spray-paint graffiti on the stonework.
The pavement and security fences were also daubed with “AYT” – believed locally to stand for “Arbroath Young Team”
A ladder was also used to smash a window, chairs were removed from the main building and fire-extinguishers were also discharged.
Harry Simpson, chairperson of Arbroath 2020, the group co-ordinating the year of special events taking place in the town to celebrate the 700th anniversary of the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath, said: “This incident frankly makes me sick to the stomach that people would damage this magnificent abbey.
“This is nothing more than mindless vandalism, and it is sad that people are getting away with it, especially as the stonework may never fully be repaired.”
Youths were also seen jumping from the scaffolding onto the roof of a domestic property nearby.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We would be particularly interested to hear from any parents whose children have come home in the evenings with paint on their clothes or smelling of solvent.”
Anyone with information about the incidents is asked contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
