Scottish castle reopens after '˜very angry badger' leaves

Part of a castle which was closed due to the presence of a 'very angry badger' has reopened.

The Cellar Tunnel at Craignethan Castle was shut around midday on Thursday after staff discovered the unexpected guest. Picture: HES

The Cellar Tunnel at Craignethan Castle, Lanarkshire, was shut around midday on Thursday after staff discovered the unexpected guest.

It is thought the animal may have become lost and staff have been trying to lure it out with cat food and honey.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) told visitors about the unusual resident in a tweet, saying: “If you’re heading to #CraignethanCastle over the next few days you might find the Cellar Tunnel closed due to the presence of a very angry badger.

READ THIS: Very angry badger forced tunnel closure at Craignethan Castle

“We’re trying to entice it out with cat food & send it home to #chilloot.”

Staff first spotted some dug-out earth on Wednesday evening, and later spotted the badger on closer inspection.

The animal is said to have caused some mess, digging up through loose soil into stonework, and staff have been clearing away the rubble.

A HES spokeswoman confirmed the badger was no longer at the site when workers checked the tunnel on Saturday.

The HES property, managed by Historic Environment Scotland (HES), was built around 1530 and has a tower house, ramparts and caponier - a stone-vaulted shooting gallery.