Hundreds of people have taken to social media to praise those responsible for creating an astonishing playground in woods near Comrie.
A Save the Gang Hut Facebook page has even been created by fans, among whose number is Mid Scotland and Fife Green MSP Mark Ruskell.
They have called for the large and impressive hut, basketball court and mountain bike track to be saved so they can be used by the community.
The owner of the land, farmer James Irvine, has been angered by the breach of his trust, having welcomed “responsible access” over a number of years.
Police Scotland, meanwhile, continues to investigate what is an illegal use of the woodland.
Nonetheless, Mr Ruskell has called upon the community and landowner to come together to see whether something positive can emerge.
He said the structures were reflective of the “skills, ingenuity, ambition and imagination” that flow through the Comrie Community and is keen to see a compromise.
Unknown individuals created their hut, sports facilities and a shooting range, entirely unnoticed, between the beginning of April and mid-June.
Members of the public have praised the quality of the construction, the cleanliness of the site and the fact that those responsible even erected a bin.
The Save the Gang Hut page has been started by a member of the public in the Scottish Borders, who said: “Give the kids some peace. This shows great initiative, skill and imagination.
“It is exactly what we as a society should be encouraging, not vilifying them as vandals.”
Hundreds of people, both locally and nationally, have since added their own comments in support of the construction.
One local said: “I would sign a petition to save this hut as I’m sure hundreds of others would.
Another commented: “Look at how much thought and work these “vandals” have put into this! Hope they get to keep it.”
And in response to the police inquiries, yet another made a tongue-in-cheek suggestion, referencing the movie Spartacus, saying: “Why doesn’t everyone who’s in support of the hut come forward at the same time and say it was them that built it?
“They surely can’t arrest hundreds of locals.”
Mr Ruskell said he had been contacted by a number of constituents and is now urging them to speak to the landowner.
“Obviously the landowner was surprised to find this on his land and clearly the people responsible should have approached him.
“Nonetheless, there is clearly a group of young people in this community who have skills and ingenuity and love being outdoors and it would seem such a waste were that to end in criminal proceedings.
“This may provide a real opportunity for the landowner to reach out to the community and I would urge both sides to speak to each other.”
Mr Ruskell added: “If there is evidence that people are genuinely acting as vandals – cutting down trees and starting irresponsible fires – then that cannot continue, but I do not see evidence of that here.
“I think local people can look at this with some pride. There is real inspiration in what the young people have achieved – something that I think is reflective of the wider community.”
Police Scotland has issued an appeal to the public for information about the damage.
A spokesperson said: “The woods are private property and the landowner has not given permission for any construction or any recreational activities other than walking to take place in the woods.”
