A Perthshire community has been left devastated after its “guardian” was destroyed.
To the dismay of Glenfarg residents, their much-loved topiary lion, which once greeted all visitors to the village, has been torn down.
The lion was gifted to the community’s In Bloom group in 2006 by local resident Mike Hope and has proved a hugely-popular feature ever since.
Named Roary by the children of Arngask Nursery, he was photographed with young and old visitors to the village.
Now, however, he has been left toppled and broken by the side of the road at the entrance to the village he once so proudly guarded.
A disgusted Kate Armstrong of Glenfarg and Duncrievie in Bloom said the damage was such that Roary cannot be saved.
Kate told The Courier: “Roary brought smiles to the faces of many but, sadly, is now beyond repair. With his back, legs and main frame broken, he will have to be removed.”
The members of Glenfarg and Duncrievie in Bloom have worked hard over the years to improve the environment for the benefit of everyone living nearby.
Last year they created a new garden to celebrate the vital role the village’s former station played in the growth of the community.
It is the second time a Perthshire community’s iconic landmark has been destroyed.
In December, Dunkeld residents were left saddened after the Atholl Memorial Fountain was damaged.
The fountain had sat in the centre of the village for almost 150 years without incident until drunken revellers climbed on to the feature on Christmas Eve and proceeded to break off the landmark’s centrepiece.
The decorative feature showed three entwined dolphins or fish-like creatures and will cost thousands of pounds to repair.
* A spokeswoman for Tayside Police said three people have now been charged in connection with the Glenfarg incident.
“All three are male and two 19-year-olds have been reported to the procurator fiscal,” she said. “A 17-year-old has been reported to the Youth Justice Service.”