UPDATE: Iconic Inverness landmark the Three Virtues now unblemished again after mystery graffiti appeared
THE strange defacement of the base of the Three Virtues statues in Inverness seems likely to remain a mystery.
Some time towards the end of last week, graffiti was chalked alongside the words Faith, Hope and Charity carved on the artwork's stone pedestal in Ness Bank Church Garden overlooking the River Ness.
It was not the hurried work of someone with a spray can, but seemed more as if the culprit or culprits had taken time to make the written additions using chalk crayons in pastel green, blue, mauve and yellow.
The word 'No' was scrawled on the plinth in front of the name of each of the virtues, making it read: 'No Faith No Hope No Charity'.
The words 'Inver drunkards & junkies' was added below.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Following online reporting regarding vandalism to statues, officers attended the Ness Bank area, however there was no trace of any damage or graffiti. No complaints have been made to police.”
And Highland Council, who own the iconic statues, said on Tuesday (July 26) that the statues were unmarked but it was unable to confirm if the graffiti had been removed by council staff.
Ness Bank Church's session clerk Wym Simpson, who was aware of the graffiti, said: "It is a bit sad especially in the garden of this church that does so much to help the less fortunate. I am delighted to say it would not be any of our customers who would have been responsible for this."
Mr Simpson was referring to the Ness Bank Church hosting Inverness Foodstuff, a group that is based in the church and describes itself as being "a vibrant community, centred around providing help, meals and company, for those who, in a variety of forms, face day to day challenges."
They also operate as a hub at which participants can access a range of services, supports and activities.
Ness Bank Church is currently without their own minister following the recent departure of the Rev Fiona Smith to a senior position with the Kirk in Edinburgh.
The interim moderator is the Rev Ian Manson with locum preachers the Rev Penelope Smirthwaite and the Rev Professor Bill McBryde.
The much photographed statues, sculpted by Andrew Davidson in the 1870s, have a rich history having at one point sat atop a building on the corner of High Street and Castle Street, one of the most prominent locations in the Highland capital.
The statues were much later acquired by an antique collector from Orkney in 1961 and remained there until the council purchased them in 2007 and installed them in Ness Bank in 2011 in what was a £55,000 project supported by Inverness Common Good Fund.
Faith, Hope and Charity are the three virtues referred to by the Apostle Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians in the Bible. The statue characters are intended as the personification of these virtues.
