Policeare hunting firebugs who they believe deliberately torched a pair of Aberdeenshire farm buildings.
Officers have launched an appeal for information following two fires at derelict buildings near New Pitsligo, which they believe to be linked.
The first incident was reported on Wednesday, June 17, at Whitehill Farm, Middlemuir and happened between 7pm and 11pm.
The second happened at Whitehill Croft, Middlemuir, around half a mile away on Monday, August 3, between 6pm and 9pm.
The owner of the properties last night praised the emergency services for their response.
The man, who asked not to be named, said: “I’d like to say thank you to the fire brigade and police for attending the incidents.
“Nobody was injured but the two buildings were badly damaged. I wasn’t at either of the properties at the time, but someone nearby noticed the smoke and alerted me.”
Regional manager of NFU Scotland, Lorna Paterson, condemned those responsible.
She said: “If these situations are proven to be deliberate, then it goes without saying that we would hope the criminals are identified and dealt with appropriately.”
Police believe that to be the case, and officers are treating the crimes as linked.
Detective Constable Keith Rennie, of Ellon CID, is urging anyone with information to come forward.
He said: “We would be especially keen to speak to any motorists, including anyone with dash-cam footage who has been travelling on the B9093 between Strichen and New Pitsligo and the unclassified road passing Middlemuir, New Pitsligo, within these times.”
Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting incident 3407 of August 3, or can pass on details anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
