Vandals have trashed a peaceful bird watching spot on a Scots nature reserve in an 'appalling' attack.
The 'snipe hide' at Moffat Nature Reserve, in Dumfries and Galloway, was wrecked by the thugs with all sides damaged and hundreds of pounds of damage caused.
Pictures show the scale of the destruction with wooden slats removed in the mindless wrecking spree which is thought to have taken place between Friday and Saturday.
Moffat and District Community council have blasted the vandals on social media and said they are 'reeling' from the damage caused.
They have reported the incident to police who have visited the site.
It's estimated that around £300 to £400 of damage has been caused but kind-hearted local tradesmen have already offered up their services.
A Facebook post from the group: "We're still reeling from the scale of the destruction on our 'Snipe' Hide last week.
"Every side is near destroyed. We recently announced a new roof on another damaged hide and a repair to the access road, spending what little funds the Community Nature Reserve had available.
"This damage has been estimated at some £300- £400. In response to the outrage on social media, local tradesmen have already volunteered their services and we will be gladly taking up this offer.
"To be clear to all in the community, this reserve is the property of our community, not the government, not D&G council.
"Any costs have to be borne by the community, and it is volunteers from our community who have to carry out the repairs. The community nature reserve is a 50/50 trust between the Moffat Wildlife Club and Moffat and District Community Council, all of whom are volunteers.
"We are expecting more visitors this year and this particular hide is on the wheelchair-accessible circular part of the reserve. It is the only one with disabled access on this route.
"It is not an abandoned building, but a facility that brings pleasure to many people, in a wonderful setting.
"The destruction was carried out sometime between 3pm on Friday 2nd April and Saturday 3rd April. The police have been informed and have visited the site.
"If you have any information that may help the police identify the perpetrator(s) no matter if it might seem insignificant, please contact 101 and ask for Community Policing, or Crimestoppers on https://crimestoppers-uk.org."
Outraged locals blasted the vandals online.
One wrote: "This is appalling and damage of this scale surely cannot have been carried out by children?"
Another added: "Shocking, hope they manage to find out who did this. Such sad times we can’t trust people to respect and enjoy the countryside."
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We received a report on Saturday, 3 April, of vandalism to a hide at the community nature reserve, off the A701 Beattock Road, south of Moffat, causing hundreds of pounds of damage.
"The incident happened between 5pm on Friday, 2 April and Saturday, 3 April. Enquiries are ongoing and anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area or who may have information to help please call us on 101, quoting incident 2313 of Saturday, 3 April.”
