3 days ago
'Mindless' vandalism of Scottish UNESCO heritage site condemned
Photos shared on social media on Sunday show the Vinnie sculpture, information board and bench at the Antonine Wall World Heritage Site in the Lusset Glen, graffiti-ed in an act that has been damned by West Dunbartonshire Council.
The area is part of UNESCO's Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site.
It is also understood that the same kind of blue spray paint was on the steps outside the Mildam Park in Faifley at the weekend, reading "Stop the Boats".
Vinnie statue in the Lusset Glen. (Image: Supplied) An information board at the site was also vandalised. (Image: Supplied) Councillors in the area have since hit out at the vandalism, which was reported to the local authority.
Cllr William Rooney for Kilpatrick, said: "I'm disgusted to see this kind of vandalism in our community. I've escalated the matter to the chief officers at the council so this can be removed immediately.
"The installation in Old Kilpatrick was added only in the last couple of years as part of the Rediscovering the Antonine Wall project, and it has already been targeted by vandals.
"It's a crying shame to witness such mindless vandalism in Old Kilpatrick and Faifley."
It is understood that a local woman who saw the images on Facebook went up to the monument shortly after seeing the damage and cleaned up the site.
A council team have also visited the site and carried out any repairs and clean-up work.
(Image: Supplied) Cllr Lauren Oxley for the Waterfront ward, said: "I was saddened to hear that our beloved Vinnie, along with the bench and Antonine Wall information board in the Lusset Glen, had been vandalised.
"I got in touch with the council's vandalism team straight away, and I've been advised that they'll be out today to assess for any damage and finish any clean-up that's still needed. I also know some kind residents have already been down to help tidy things up - thank you so much for taking the time to do that.
"Grateful to everyone who brought this issue to my attention, and hopefully this isn't a situation we need to deal with again."
A spokesperson for West Dunbartonshire Council says they are "disappointed" by the graffiti and the site has been promptly assessed and cleaned.
They said: 'The council is disappointed in this mindless act of vandalism at Lusset Glen in Old Kilpatrick.
"The sculpture is located in close proximity to the Antonine Wall World Heritage and reflects the rich Roman heritage of the area.
"The bench and area have been fully cleaned up and restored.'
