'This is unacceptable, shameful, and unforgivable': Readers react to ‘racist king’ graffiti on Robert the Bruce statue

The statue of Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn was vandalised on Thursday night

The statue of Robert the Bruce that sits on the site of the battle of Bannockburn was vandalised on Thursday night.

The words ‘racist king’ and ‘Black lives matter’ were written on the base of the statue.

Writing sprayed onto the stone rotunda at the site near Stirling reads: “Robert was a racist, bring down the statue.”

The statue of Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn was vandalised throughout Thursday night

Robert the Bruce was King of Scotland from 1306 to 1329, famously leading Scotland to victory against the English at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

The vandalism has sparked a national outcry provoking an angry reaction from many of our readers.

Lynne Little said: “When are authorities going to take a stance and put a stop to this destruction and violence.”

Caitriana Morgan said: “Quite ridiculous that should be targeting monuments like his!!”

Max Sgarbi added: “This is unacceptable, shameful, and unforgivable!!

”People like this consider themselves "perfect" people, but they are just stupid people!!”

Gordon Chalmers commented: “These people are not true BLM supporters.

“They are the usual rent-a-mob minority, who attach themselves to any protest if it helps create anarchy”

Kathy Zalla echoed this sentiment saying: “This is just pure vandalism!!”

Euan Connor added: “This is simply just vandalism to incite trouble.

“It’s difficult to believe that a month or so ago, communities were uniting and supporting each other during this crazy pandemic and a couple of months ago we all talked about #bekind as a strap line....”

Many are questioning whether Black Lives Matter were behind the act at all, with Lucy Chambers saying: “Don’t just assume, this could be mindless vandalism, nothing to do with BLM.

“There have been numerous acts carried out that have nothing to do with the protesters.

“People trying to cause trouble and divide.

Lynfa Landauer said: “There are bound to be a few people jump on the bandwagon and use it as an excuse for vandalism but whose commitment to the cause is questionable.

Heather Poupart added: “Shameful.

“This is neither a far left or far right attempt at smearing the BLM movement, but just some idiots with nothing better to do but cause trouble.”

Charles Eyoma-Murray said: “I'd put good money on it not being BLM protesters having done this.”

Local residents have come forward to help clean the statue.

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