Scotland's historic sites dug up, broken into and used as toilets and camps over lockdown

Reports of unauthorised digging at Callanish Standing Stones on the Isle of Lewis were among heritage crimes reported over the course of lockdown. PIC: Flickr/Creative Commons/Chris Combe.

Digging at world-famous standing stones, breaking into castles, camping in historic grounds and illegal metal detecting were among the offences reported.

Inspector Alan Dron, chairman of the Scottish Heritage Crime Group, said: “Over the lockdown period from April to June, rural crime fell by 39 per cent this year, fly tipping spiked and heritage crime also rose. It was one of the areas where we saw a significant increase.

“Because people were staying more local, they were getting out to investigate sites close to where they lived.”

Castle Law Hillfort, near Penicuik. Historic Environment Scotland said it was "horrified" the prehistoric site had been used as a toilet over lockdown. PIC: Geograph/Calum McRoberts.

Hunting down those who steal Scotland’s history

He added that the historic sites were usually unmanned by staff given the impact of lockdown.

Six cases of illegal metal detecting have been made in Scotland since the end of March with several arrests made and inquiries ongoing. The locations where the alleged offences have taken place are not being disclosed as investigations continued.

Historic Environment Scotland said the public had been the “eyes and ears” of many of its sites over the course of lockdown.

One report made by the member of the public included one of digging at Callanish Standing Stones on the Isles of Lewis.

After investigation, no serious damage was found but HES said, while no damage was found, such illegal activity could have disturbed archaeology at the site.

Dunnottar Castle near Stonhaven was broken into in June and campers were found at Newark Castle near Port Glasgow with HES warning that setting up tents, making bonfires and moving stones risked damaging historic sites.

Meanwhile, HES said it was “horrified” that the Castlelaw Hillfort near Penicuik, which was home to an Iron Age community for several centuries, had been used as a toilet.

Other reports included movement of grave slabs at Restenneth Priory near Forfar and graffiti and littering at Lincluden Collegiate Church in Dumfries.

A spokesperson for Historic Environment Scotland (HES) said: “We take incidents of heritage crime very seriously. Such acts damage historic assets, divert important resources away from essential conservation and maintenance work, and can cause us to lose pieces of our past forever. The historic environment belongs to all of us, and we work closely with the police and local communities to raise awareness of the impacts of heritage crime and how we can work together to tackle it. Anyone with information on heritage crime is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.”

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