Area of Inverness cemetery damaged by fire
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Serious concerns have been raised after an area within Tomnahurich Cemetery in Inverness was set alight.
In what is being called "wilful fire raising", a section at the top of Tomnahurich Hill at a popular viewpoint towards Ness-side and Dores Road, and area has been destroyed.
Councillor Duncan Macpherson, Inverness South ward, raised concerns about the fire.
Concerns have been raised after an area within Tomnahurich Cemetery in Inverness was damaged by fire.
Fire damage is evident at the top of Tomnahurich Hill, at a popular viewpoint looking towards Ness-side and Dores Road.
Councillor Duncan Macpherson issued a warning about fire-setting after coming across the damage caused.
He said: "On a recent visit to Tomnahurich Cemetery to pay our respects at a dear family friend’s grave, my wife and I decided to walk up the pathway to the top of Tomnahurich Hill.
"At the top we enjoyed the wonderful clear views across Inverness, however we were deeply disappointed to see the signs of a recent fire.
"It would appear that someone, a person or persons, had deliberately set fire to whin bushes around the graves beside one of the viewpoints.
"The charred whins are beside fresh yellow flowers on the branches, so this appears to have happened very recently.
"If this is what it looks like, and is an act of wilful fire raising, then that is most disturbing, especially so taking place in the largest and most prominent graveyard in Inverness, a place of rest and peaceful family reflection. "
He continued: "I will be urging Scottish Fire and Rescue Service officers to work with schools to send out the message that deliberately setting of fires is a criminal offence and can cause extensive damage and great personal hurt by its consequences.
"Each fire of this nature costs Highland taxpayers the insurance excess of £1 million, liable to Highland Council and its council tax payers by their insurers."
He added: "My message to the culprit is 'don’t start fires' and certainly never in a beautiful graveyard – that is a most abhorrent act and would offend everyone who has a friend or family loved one laid to rest there."
