Vandals who targeted a historic Moray hotel are being hunted – using the footprints they left at the scene of the crime.
More than 30 windows were smashed and thousands of pounds of damage caused when Cullen’s Seafield Arms Hotel was broken into.
The A-listed building is currently being restored to reopen as a “first class hotel” after lying empty and boarded-up for years.
But joiners working at the property arrived to discover raiders had forced their way in and caused damage inside and out.
The vandals used their feet to smash huge holes in a newly-plastered wall.
However, they left numerous dirty footprints behind – which the owners hope could hold the key to tracking them down.
It is believed one of the tread marks was made by a Nike Huarache trainer, and that the person who did it wears a size 10 or 11 shoe.
Last night, MPD homes, the developer carrying out construction work on the site, released images of the mud-stained wall – and urged anyone who knows the culprits to speak out.
“Any information will be treated confidentially,” the company said.
The hotel has been shut since 2011 but was bought in 2014 by local businessman Charlie Milne, who also owns the Banff Springs Hotel and the Regency Garage in Buckie.
It was put on the market for £900,000, but it was eventually bought for £250,000.
Mr Milne said he planned to spend £600,000 revamping the site to ensure the restoration was done “properly”.
After completing the purchase of the property he said: “I don’t think it’s had much done to it since 1972, the year it was last upgraded.
“However, I believe there’s scope for another good-quality hotel in the area.”
Mr Milne was unavailable for comment last night.
But local councillor Ron Shepherd said it was shocking to hear what had happened.
He said: “This is terrible, I hope whoever was responsible is caught and dealt with.
“This is a nice hotel in the town which has been closed for a few years, but a gentleman came in and bought it up and the whole town was delighted.
“To hear that his has happened to it is really shocking.
“I would appeal for anyone who knows anything about what happened to get in touch with the police.”
The three-storey Seafield Arms Hotel was originally built as a coaching house by the Earl of Seafield in 1822, and was restored in 1972.
In its heyday the hotel attracted thousands of visitors to the Moray coast.
When the 23-bedroom business closed its doors in June 2011, the community was left reeling with the loss of 20 full and part-time jobs.
It was labelled an eyesore by residents after it was boarded up.