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Vandals set fire to parts of Nairn golf course


By Ian Duncan

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Fire damage at Nairn Golf Club.
Fire damage at Nairn Golf Club.

POLICE are hunting vandals who torched gorse bushes and trees and tried to set fire to a shelter at Nairn Golf Club.

The damage was caused on the evening of last Tuesday and the shelter was at the 14th tee of the course.

Lighters and wine bottles were found at the scene and witnesses said grass had been piled up to form the base of the fire at the shelter which suffered what was described as minimal damage.

The damage has been estimated in the region of £2000 and it will require the removal of the burnt-out gorse, trimming or cutting down damaged trees, as well as fixing and repainting the shelter.

Course manager Richie Ewan said it had happened at a time when resources were under extreme strain and police had visited the site on Wednesday.

He said: “Police will be monitoring the situation going forward. We have asked any members completing their daily walk around the course to contact the police instantly if they spot anything suspicious.”

Fire damage at Nairn Golf Club.
Fire damage at Nairn Golf Club.

Club members were upset by what had happened and Mr Ewan said: “It’s the total disregard for the government’s regulations where we have been given strict instructions to stay indoors to save lives and this saddens me.

“Yes, we are upset that vandals are attempting to destroy parts of the course, and the wildlife habitat, but this minority simply don’t care about their actions.

“With so many acts of kindness in these challenging times it’s disappointing to have such poor behaviour.”

Colin Sinclair, the club’s chief executive, said: “We have a strong community spirit at the club and will protect our club against these disgraceful actions.”

Committee member John Currie said repairing the damage would take extra time and effort due to the coronavirus situation which was a challenge with fewer greenkeepers engaged in trying to look after the whole course.

He added: “The potential is unthinkable in that if the fires had developed it could easily have impacted severely on the rest of the course where £800,000 has been spent on development in the last 18 months.”




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