A former convent in Dumfries that was once used as a movie set is being trashed by unholy vandals.
Youths have broken into the historic building on Corbelly Hill repeatedly for months, sparking callouts by the police and firefighters.
After being blocked out of the ground floor, yobs have been going to great lengths to force their way back into the 138-year-old building.
Dumfries fire service station commander Andy Wilson said this week: “The people who are intent on causing damage, they are now bringing ladders up to circumvent the ground floor measures and try to gain access to the first floor above.”
The issue was raised by North West Dumfries Councillor Graham Bell at the council’s Nithsdale Area Committee meeting on Wednesday.
Concerned there may be a fire risk, he said: “We’ve had a lot of issues at the old convent recently. Anti-social behaviour has been going on since October, break-ins to the building, knocking down of barriers etc.
“This could be escalating to quite a serious problem at the old convent.”
He then asked commander Wilson: “I’m just wondering what you could be doing about this.”
Station commander Wilson replied: “The convent is something that’s totally on the radar. The community action team have visited that location on numerous occasions and we’re constantly in dialogue with the owners of the premises, and also the community police.
“The measures being put in place by ourselves or the police, they keep being circumvented by the people who are intent on getting in.”
He added: “We do try to keep on top of it, but there’s only so much you can do. We can be a 24/7 presence in these premises.”
The Buildings At Risk Register For Scotland has been notified of trouble at the building. Its website states: “Vandalism within the site is reported to have taken place.”
The building opened in 1884 after nuns came from Arras in France to set up a convent and school.
It was known as Benedictine Convent until the school closed in 1982. The convent shut seven years later, with the nuns leaving for a new home in Ayrshire.
Since its closure, the convent on Corbelly Hill was a film set for the Magdalene Sisters in 2002. Directed by Peter Mullan, the movie was based on the true story of women being abused at a convent in Ireland in the 1960s.
The current owner is Queen of the South chairman Billy Hewitson who said: “We have been trying everything to block it up but now the kids are coming up with tools like grinders, screw drivers and such and everything you would need to break into the place.
“They are not all young kids. But they have spray painted the sandstone brick and ruined it and smashed 138 year old windows. We try and board it up but it is getting harder and harder.
“They run around smashing things up and you just ask why? It’s an iconic building to the town, but they have no pride in it.”
