A Highland Perthshire councillor has hit out at “mindless” graffiti that has been painted on roadside bins and signs along part of the A9 Perth to Inverness road.
Conservative representative John Duff feels the vandalism - an apparent demonstration by people who argue the earth is flat and a counter protest - is “spoiling the scenic beauty” of the area and incurring unnecessary costs for Perth and Kinross Council.
His views have been supported by Rhona Metcalfe, a guesthouse owner in nearby Blair Atholl, who is standing alongside Cllr Duff for the Scottish Conservatives in the council elections for the Highland ward in May.
Commenting, Cllr Duff said: “It appears that some people feel the need to plaster an abbreviation for flat earth [“FE”] all over our beautiful countryside, with presumably round earth [“RE”] supporters now adding to the vandalism.
“This pointless graffiti is spoiling our area.
“It is impairing visitors’ enjoyment of our beautiful Highland Perthshire scenery and costing the council money that it can ill afford to clean up these bins.
“I would encourage anyone who sees or knows anyone carrying out these mindless acts to contact the police.”
Rhona Metcalfe added: “It is such a shame that someone feels the need to cover this area of natural beauty with mindless graffiti.
“For the vast majority, this sort of thing is a real eyesore, no matter what it’s been sprayed on.
“It detracts from the stunning landscape and gives an overall impression of an area that doesn’t care, which is blatantly untrue.
“There are so many breathtaking views across the whole of Perthshire and yet it is being marred by this anti-social behaviour.
“We should all be proud of where we live and want to show it in the best light.”
Perth and Kinross Council has advised that the acts of vandalism such as this have been a persistent problem.
Affected bins have been cleaned and/or replaced in the past only for further graffiti to keep appearing shortly thereafter.
