POLICE have launched an investigation after rubbish was dumped and historic stones were removed from an iron age fort in Shetland.
The incident happened in Lerwick at the Clickimin Broch, sometime between Friday, January 17, and Monday, January 20.
The rubbish had been dumped in the broch and stones removed.
The broch is evidence of a settlement spanning more than a thousand years. It is a type of stone-built roundhouse found only in Scotland.
Police Scotland has said the site is under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 and, therefore, it is an offence to cause damage recklessly or deliberately to it.
A Police Scotland statement read: “Officers in Shetland have been investigating damage caused to the Clickimin Broch in Lerwick. Rubbish has been dumped within the Broch and stones have been removed.
“It would appear that this occurred sometime over the weekend between Friday, January 17, 2025, and Monday, January 20, 2025.
“Many Brochs and other scheduled monuments are protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, and as per section 28 of the act it is an offence to cause damage recklessly or deliberately to ancient monuments.
“Not only is it an offence, taking stones and mistreating monuments/memorials is extremely disrespectful and can risk damaging the monuments for others to enjoy and learn about.
“If you have any information about this incident, please get in touch with us via our website or through 101, quoting incident number 1204 of January 21, 2025.”
