Extensive damage caused to public toilets on Nairn Links
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The toilet block is located near the splashpad and is widely used.
The facility was in use for the Wheels in Nairn car rally on September 24 but later in the day police received a report of the damage.
A former business leader and community council leader has called for repairs to be carried out quickly after a sign appeared on the door stating they would be closed ‘indefinitely due to constant misuse and vandalism’.
Local community councils have been at loggerheads with Highland Council dipping into the Nairn Common Good Fund for maintenance works at the links, which they say should be funded directly by the council. The toilets are located on Common Good land.
Another toilet block at the harbour has been closed since 2018 despite local campaigns to have it reopened. Toilets in Courthouse Lane have also been targeted.
Sheena Baker, a past chairwoman of Nairn West and Suburban Community Council and leader of the Association of Nairn Businesses, said: “The argument as to who should pay for the repairs and repainting is academic to me. What is a priority is that money is found either from the Common Good Fund or Highland Council dependant on whose responsibility it is.
“Something as basic as having sufficient loos open and in a good condition for folks to use is a necessity in any town but particularly in a tourist town.
“We have been fobbed off for too long by Highland Council, our previous councillors and their various excuses.
“Yet again we are approaching the tail end of the tourist season and the Harbour Street loos are still not repaired and open. Last weekend the BID and others staged a successful Wheels of Nairn event and the Links, harbour and seafront were throbbing with folks. The lack of loos at the harbour meant a long walk to the Links loos which I understand were vandalised that evening.
“On the basis that they were vandalised, the question we need answered is how did they get access?
“Most of us would accept the loos being closed at the links and the harbour at 7pm or 8pm in the lighter nights. Presumably, the vandalism is happening during the evenings when there are few folks around on the Links. It cannot be too onerous a task to have CCTV installed and the loos shut thus removing the temptation to be destructive.
“My fundamental point is that this needs to be fixed quickly and that I personally do not give a hoot as to what funds are used to achieve that.”
Highland councillor Paul Oldham has promised there will be urgent and prompt action taken to reopen the toilets.
“Vandalism in public toilets is a recurring problem but the incident at both the ladies and gents toilets on the Links was particularly extreme and it may take some days to rectify.
“Highland Council are working hard to get them back into commission as soon as possible, although at some cost. It is depressing that we are having to spend council taxpayers’ money and officer time on this, which diverts resources from council works and services.
“We do seem to be suffering from a general increase in vandalism and antisocial behaviour around Nairn at the moment. If anyone witnesses any incidents or is affected then please report it to police on 101 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
“It’s only by doing this that we will ensure that the police take this issue seriously.”
A Highland Council spokesman confirmed the damage had been reported to police, adding: “Highland Council works very hard to maintain and keep open as many public conveniences as possible and to retain or expand facilities in partnership with communities where possible.
“Vandalism, while not only criminal is a total waste of taxpayers’ money and diverts resources from council works and services. It’s vital that our public toilets are safeguarded and no more are lost.”
A police spokesman said: “On September 24, police in Nairn received a report of vandalism to the public toilets in the Links area. Enquiries are ongoing.”
