Staff at the Highland Hospice in Inverness were left shocked after an unexpected visitor forced entry to the building over the weekend leaving a trail of destruction.
The Netley Day Therapy Centre Lounge was completely trashed as curtains were ripped off of rails with sections of the carpet torn up.
The incident had been treated by staff as a break-in – until the culprit was identified and was found to be a pine marten.
Head of clinical services Kathryn Hamling said: “I was so shocked to get notified that there had been a break-in at the Hospice – and even more surprised to find out who the culprit was.
“It was certainly an experience I won’t forget, and it is incredible to see how much damage a small creature can cause.”
Mystery surrounds how the wily member of the weasel family was able to gain entry to the charities premises, with suspicions that the pine marten climbed down a chimney – or just got in through an open door.
The unauthorised visitor was finally freed from the Hospice around 5pm on Sunday evening after emerging from its hiding place behind a chair and exiting through a door staff had opened to allow escape.
Extensive cleaning operations will now be conducted as facilities coordinator Sue McKelvie and housekeeper Linda Williamson have been tasked with beginning the operation, identifying what items can be rescued and what needs to be replaced.
Mrs Hamling added: “Thanks especially to Peter Kennedy from our facilities department who dealt with it so well, and to the housekeeping staff for deep cleaning and tidying the room.”
