Bronze statue is stolen from palace during tour

A BRONZE statue has been stolen from Falkland Palace in Fife.

Fife Constabulary said the 18-inch naked youth Narcissus was taken from inside the palace as guided tours were led through the building.

The theft is thought to have happened sometime between 10am and 2pm on Thursday.

Police said they were keen to speak to anyone who had visited the palace and who may have witnessed anything suspicious.

Detective Sergeant Alan Stewart said: "Guided tours were conducted over the period of the theft and there were over 140 visitors to the palace on the day.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who may have attended Falkland Palace or been in the vicinity and witnessed any suspicious activity.

"The statue is a heavy item and would have been awkward for someone to carry even a short distance."

Mr Stewart said he was also keen to hear from anyone in the antiques or scrap metal trade who may have been offered the statue for sale.

The statues have become a well known feature in the gardens of the former Royal palace.

Horticulturalist Percy Cane designed and cultivated the gardens between 1947 and 1952.

The gardens are based on 16th-century terraces and feature herbaceous borders, lawns, unusual shrubs and trees, and a small herb garden featuring quotations from John Gerard's 16th century book Herbal.