Demolition crews have moved in to tear down a derelict Moray pub that has stood in a community for more than 150 years.
Bulldozers are currently in the process of knocking down the Tennant Arms in Lhanbryde to make way for a convenience store.
A huge skip has been placed at the rear of the building to dump rubble and timber that has been torn from the building as well as a money safe and stashes of beer mats.
Locals bitterly opposed the proposals to create a new branch of the Co-op in the village – arguing the former hotel that closed its doors in 2014 was a landmark that was worth preserving.
However, Moray Council backed the demolition plans despite a 250-strong petition due to developers lodging plans to create a replacement building with a similar design.
Yesterday, local resident Gill Stewart described the site of the popular pub being knocked down as “horrible”.
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The campaigner was handed a sign bearing the name of the hotel by the demolition crews and intends to paint a picture of the Victorian building to preserve its memory.
She said: “It’s hard seeing it like this. They started off knocking the newer bits off the side, which was an improvement, but it’s been difficult – I don’t like going down there at the moment.
“I’ve not changed my mind. It shouldn’t have been allowed to happen. It’s vandalism.”
During the hotel’s heyday it was a regular stop for travellers going between Inverness and Aberdeen.
It also proved popular accommodation for staff who were posted to Moray for short-term projects and for young RAF personnel when they first moved to the area.
A vigil was held by residents at the beginning of the month to mourn the passing of their “old friend”.
Lhanbryde resident George Herraghty said: “We are a larger population than Fochabers yet have virtually none of the social amenities that our smaller neighbours enjoy.”
The Co-op expects its new shop to be open in Lhanbryde early next year.
