VANDALS have caused around £15,000 of damage at two famous Scottish graveyards.
Greyfriars Kirk, well known for being the resting place of the faithful dog Bobby and his master John Gray, and Canongate Kirk where economist Adam Smith and poet Robert Ferguson are buried, were both hit. Both sites in Edinburgh had walls kicked down as well as headstones pushed over. Graffiti was also sprayed over some monuments. Damage has been estimated at £12,000 to Canongate Kirkyard and £3000 at Greyfriars. The Rev Neil Gardner, of Canongate Kirk, said: "We have a problem with teenage Goths who go into graveyards at night. We think the most recent spate of damage has been done by underage drinkers. A lot of tourists visit and it's a great shame if they come and the graveyard is a mess. CCTV and better lighting might help but I don't know what we can do with 40 drunk 15-year-olds, who are intimidating once they get going."
The Rev Richard Frazer of Greyfriars Kirk admitted it was hard to monitor the graveyard constantly and described the attacks as "upsetting".
Both sites are maintained by Edinburgh Council. Councillor Sheila Gilmore confirmed the council and police were working together in an attempt to beat the problem.
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