North-east Scouts have been left “upset” and their leaders devastated after their headquarters were targeted by vandals.
Windows were smashed at the former railway station that now plays host to the 1st Portsoy and Fordyce group’s hope.
Those responsible for the damage moved in a short time after the group’s annual meeting on Tuesday evening at which a new committee was elected and plans for future fundraising were discussed.
Those plans will almost inevitably be sidelined as the group faces-up to more immediate and wholly unwanted repair costs.
Volunteers were forced to clean up the shards of glass littering the inside of the Portsoy building, in the Loch Soy area, which dates back to the 1880’s.
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Two damaged panes have since been boarded up.
A social media post by Scout volunteer Fiona Lovie said it was last thing they needed and some of their members have been left upset by the attack.
She said: “The hall is run by the scout group and we have enough to do to fundraise for activities, basic upkeep and the minibus as it is.
“Things like this take away much needed resources that we can’t afford. It’s also upsetting to the bairns who have to see their building targeted again.”
Graeme Gauld, group leader for 1st Portsoy and Fordyce scout group, said the hut’s isolated location might be one of the reasons vandals decided to strike.
He has, however, ruled out the possibility of increasing security at the site due to the group’s financial constraints.
Mr Gauld said: “It is off the beaten track because it is in the loch area. It is not overlooked by houses and that is maybe why it was targeted.
“These are the kind of extra costs we could do without.
“We don’t want to be covering up the windows with chicken wire and CCTV is too expensive.
“If anyone has information about this I would ask that they please contact the police.”
A police spokeswoman said: “This matter has been reported to the police and inquiries are ongoing.
“It is understood to have happened between 9.30m on January 22 and 8am on January 23.
“Anyone with information should call police on 101.”
The C-listed train station was originally part of the Moray Firth coast line, but closed to rail users in May 1968.
It has been home to Portsoy’s Scout troop ever since.
