A man who gifted a piano to Dundee Railway Station in memory of his late wife has been left devastated after it was damaged by vandals.
84-year-old local Dave Patterson donated the piano after his music-loving wife Jean, who was a Scotrail employee, passed away in February this year following a battle with Alzheimer’s.
It had become a much-loved centrepiece in the brand-new £38 million station, which opened in July, and sat in the entrance lobby for anyone to play.
Mr Patterson bought the piano specifically for the concourse but it has now been removed after vandals trashed it.
British Transport Police say they are investigating the incident after being called to the station at around 7pm on Wednesday.
Dave’s daughter-in-law Audrey Patterson said all the family had been left in shock.
She said: “We’re disappointed and upset. It was damaged to the extent that it had to removed.
“It was deemed unsafe by the staff there I believe. I don’t know much more than that but it’s just disheartening. My father-in-law is obviously upset about it all.”
After coming up with the idea to gift the piano, Mr Patterson made contact with Scotrail who then suggested its unveiling should coincide with the station’s opening.
He then bought the piano as well as a duet stool from Vintage Strings on the Perth Road.
The piano has proved popular with rail passengers often seen tickling the ivories until the next train.
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Scotrail, who manage the facility, said it is unclear at this stage when exactly the vandalism took place, or whether it was captured on CCTV.
A spokesperson said: “Vandalism and anti-social behaviour is completely unacceptable, and we will work with the British Transport Police to bring those responsible to justice.”
A spokesperson for the British Transport Police said: “Officers were called to Dundee station at 7.05pm Wednesday after reports that a piano on the upper concourse of the station had been vandalised.
“Officers attended and are making inquiries into this incident.
“Were you at the station at the time? Did you see anything?
“Call 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016 if you have information which could help us, quoting 569 of 22 August.”
