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Inverness beauty spot hit by racist vandals


By Louise Glen

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vandalism around Benula play area..Donna and Sean Chinskie with Councillor Emma Roddick at Benula playpark which is padlocked closed...Picture: Gary Anthony..
vandalism around Benula play area..Donna and Sean Chinskie with Councillor Emma Roddick at Benula playpark which is padlocked closed...Picture: Gary Anthony..

Racist graffiti, vandalism and littering at an Inverness beauty spot are “absolutely disgraceful” says a city community councillor.

After discovering new benches at Carnac Point covered with racist graffiti, Merkinch community councillor Donna Chinskie urged those responsible to stop and anyone who sees them to report it to the police.

Mrs Chinskie said that millions of pounds have been invested in a new school, roads, paths and play parks in the area but it is being spoiled by “idiots”. And she called on any business selling spray paint in black or silver over the past few days to contact community police to help catch the culprit.

She raged: “I’m absolutely disgusted to see that although we Merkinch community councillors and Highland councillors fought tooth and claw to better Merkinch and South Kessock and Carse area, and spent millions of pounds in upgrades of roads, paths and a new school, some idiot has decided to vandalise everything, including brand new play parks and the beautiful scenic spots which attract tourism each month of the year.

“I took my children for a walk and found more graffiti scrawled all over a local beauty spot at Carnac point. A few days earlier I went for a walk round the new school to find broken glass from idiots drinking all over the path.

vandalism around Benula play area..Donna Chinskie and children Sean and Sharlotte at the overgrown path to Merkinch Primary..Picture: Gary Anthony..
vandalism around Benula play area..Donna Chinskie and children Sean and Sharlotte at the overgrown path to Merkinch Primary..Picture: Gary Anthony..

“The area is covered in litter and used masks and gloves. I’m absolutely disgusted at the mess after millions have been spent. Some local kids live in flats with no access to a garden, they should not have to live with this.”

She added: “I joined the council because I wanted to better the area for my kids. I grew up here and it makes me angry because after all the stigma and all the years the late Dan Corbett and Peter Corbett fought tooth and claw to make things better, some idiot did this. The police try but there is only so much they can do without people reporting who is doing it.”

Councillor Emma Roddick, Inverness Central ward, said: “With the new Merkinch Primary School opening soon and more families recently joining our community through the new Merkinch Place flats, it’s a real shame to see people leaving litter and graffiti around an area kids play and walk to school in.

“I’m particularly disappointed to see so many disposable face masks left lying around. Potentially contaminated PPE is dangerous, and I’d encourage as many people as possible to make use of re-usable masks which they can take home and wash.”

The police can be contacted on 101, or 999 in an emergency.

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