A scout leader has claimed the culprits who burnt down a wooden hut could benefit from joining their group.
Callous vandals set fire to a scout hut at the Daviot camp site, near Inverurie, on Sunday night.
The shelter is one of eight used for camping by youngsters who live locally or travel from further afield over the summer.
Scout masters from Gordon District claim it will cost between £1,000-1,500 to replace the structure.
Police have now launched an investigation into the incident which they are treating as a wilful fireraising.
Last night, the district commissioner said it was disappointing that the hard work of volunteers had been reduced to charred embers.
Keith Millar said: “It’s just needless, I don’t see the purpose of it, it’s a bit frustrating.
“There’s lots of volunteers that are going to have to go back and rebuild the shelter.
“We have been quite lucky over the past four or five years, we’ve not had much trouble.
“I think it’s a real shame that the people doing it probably don’t understand the impact this has on people – scouting might be good for them.”
One crew from Oldmeldrum was called to the scene at about 6.25pm.
The crew managed to get the blaze under control shortly before 7pm.
Stewart Moore, deputy district commissioner, added: “We have had people using the site for parties before, but all that leaves behind is glass bottles and empty cans which isn’t a big problem.
“There’s people who come here all the time so it might be difficult to pin down who it was.
“I wouldn’t want to say it was definitely kids or definitely adults, there’s nothing that’s been left behind that gives a clue either way.
“It’s just another thing that we are going to have to replace sooner than we’d expected.”
Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Police were informed of a wilful fire at the Scout shed in Daviot on Sunday July 2, 2017 at around 6:30pm.
“Scouting is important for many young people in and around the north-east and it is so disappointing that a hut has been destroyed.”
Anyone who can help police should contact them on 101.
