‘Act of vandalism’ closes famous nature centre at Loch Garten
Mystery surround the closure of one of the strath’s most important nature attactions at Loch Garten.
Today the staff posted that an act of vandalism had brought about the shut-down.
“Due to an act of vandalism, the Nature Centre will be closed until further notice,” the post stated.
“Apologies for the inconvenience while we sort everything out.
“Thank you for all the kind words and concerns.”
The Strathy has so far been unable to establish the extent or nature of the attack, but it is understood that it was purely an external incident and that there was no damage inside the building or - at this stage - to anybody working or visiting the centre at the time.
The website currently states: “We want to reassure everyone that the damage was contained to outside of the centre and no permanent damage has been caused.
“We are fully cooperating with the police and are working hard to reopen as soon as possible.”
The centre attracts thousands to the strath’s wildlife-rich Caledonian pine forest around Loch Garten where the justified boast is that “Abernethy is like no other forest in the UK. Huge, Gnarled, lichen-encrusted Scots pine trees flank the land, interspersed with Blaeberry, Juniper, Rowan, Birch and Heather.”
Tourists and wildlife lovers visit during spring and summer to spot breeding osprey, crested tits, red squirrels, bank voles, great spotted woodpeckers, siskins and common lizards among the Caledonian forest wildlife.
More on this as it becomes available.
