Inverness hockey venue is closed due to amount of seagull mess
A hockey venue in Inverness has been forced to close temporarily due to the level of mess left by seagulls on the pitch.
Highland Hockey Club have confirmed that its synthetic surface at Bught Lane has been closed due to health and safety concerns as a result of the birds.
Due to the amount of mess on the pitch and nests at the venue, the club are currently unable to train or play matches at the pitch, located near Inverness Leisure Centre.
Highland Hockey Club confirmed on social media that the venue is closed until further notice. They said they will issue a further update once the issue has been resolved.
They wrote: “Due to the mess and the amount of gulls present in the area, the pitch has been closed on health and safety grounds.
“The pitch will be closed until further notice. We will update, as and when, there are any improvements.”
High Life Highland confirmed that the venue is closed due to the mess caused by seagulls.
It says due to its licence application with Nature Scot to remove nests and eggs being refused, it has made it difficult to tackle the problem.
It is working to find alternative venues for the hockey club to play matches and train on.
A spokesperson for High Life Highland commented, "Regretfully we have had to close the Bught synthetic pitch as of this morning due to the issues we are facing with nesting gulls. “Working in conjunction with our colleagues at The Highland Council as owners of the pitches - every effort has been made to address the challenges we are facing in this location due to the ongoing gull problem which has included having the pitch brushed and cleaned on a weekly basis.
"Despite these efforts, it has become increasingly difficult with more and more gulls, and their gull fledglings taking up home within the safe space of the fenced synthetic pitch.
“The challenges this summer have been exacerbated this year when the licence to remove nests and eggs was initially refused, despite having been in place in previous years.
“The licence has since been granted, but the delay in the spring as essentially narrowing the time around which partner agencies were able to deal with nesting gulls effectively.
“Wild birds in Scotland are protected under law and it is illegal to capture, injure or destroy any wild bird or interfere with its nest or eggs. Both The Highland Council and High Life Highland have no statutory duty to take any action against any type of gull.
"Even with the restrictions around what can be done to address the ongoing gull issues, High Life Highland continues to work with all groups, clubs and organisations in an attempt to secure alternative locations to use until we are able to resolve the gull issues and re-open the facility. The situation is being monitored daily and HLH is keeping all users updated where necessary."
Highland Hockey Club have also been approached directly for comment.
READ: Inverness BID launches a survey ‘on gull disturbance incidents’ in the city centre.
