Historic Castle Wall Destroyed for Social Media Photos
In an act described as 'truly unbelievable', tourists have torn down a section of a 500-year-old castle wall in the Scottish Highlands to avoid getting their feet wet while taking photographs. The incident occurred at Ardvreck Castle in Sutherland, with local heritage group Historic Assynt calling out the 'entitled' individuals responsible.
The Destructive Incident
According to Historic Assynt's Facebook statement, the vandalism happened when water covered the beach area near the ancient castle. Rather than getting their 'little tootsies wet', as the organisation put it, the visitors deliberately dismantled part of the historic structure to create a dry pathway. This allowed them to access better photography spots for their social media content without discomfort.
The community group expressed their disbelief at the destruction, emphasising that the wall dates back approximately 500 years to around 1490, when the land was owned by the Scottish clan Macleods of Assynt. The castle sits on the popular NC500 route, often referred to as 'Scotland's Route 66', which attracts numerous visitors to its stunning landscapes.
Pattern of Vandalism and Preservation Efforts
This isn't an isolated incident at the historic site. Historic Assynt reported frequent problems including theft from collection boxes and visitors 'clambering all over the walls like entitled monkeys'. Each instance of damage, however small it might seem individually, contributes to the gradual disappearance of Assynt's historical heritage.
The organisation has made temporary repairs to the damaged wall and is currently accepting donations to support preservation work. They've issued a plea to visitors: 'If you are planning a holiday and want to clamber over an ancient monument for that Instagram pic, please don't!'
Historic Environment Scotland has provided funding for repairs and installed signs requesting visitors treat the ancient site with respect. The local community continues to advocate for greater awareness about preserving Scotland's vulnerable historical sites from similar acts of vandalism.
