St Ninian's owners ask public for help to tackle "mindless" vandalism

Newly installed solar lights and signs at the site have recently been stolen or vandalised which has led to growing frustration from site owners who are working to improve the land.

National Pride have already unveiled their plans for the site which, it is hoped, will eventually see a wellness spa complex, tree houses, lodges and geodesic domes, a trout fishery and aquatic centre, technology park, entertainment centre and beautiful parkland created.

Irene Bissett, chairperson of National Pride, said the "mindless vandalism" would not be tolerated.

"Our message is an appeal for help so that we can understand who the perpetrator is so that we can put a stop to it so we can keep the site safe and clean and tidy," she said.

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"We keep saying, it is the minority. It is not about pointing fingers. It is a massive site and our security team is relatively small. We need as much help as we can to hep look after the site for everyone's benefit.

Those behind plans to restore the former coalmine site at St Ninian's have called for the public to help them tackle antisocial behaviour. (Image: National Pride) "All we ask is for people to help us by identifying these rogues because they are out there and they are spoiling it for everybody else."

Andy Whitlock, Technical director at National Pride, said they are finding signs are pulled down as soon as they go up.

"It is frustrating that our maintenance crew look after the site like it is their own back garden –they have spend an awful lot of time on that site," he said. "They put in solar lighting. Local residents appreciated it because it can be quite dark and next thing, all the lights have disappeared and what was left was damaged.

"We will replace the lighting and we will replace the camera. The wildlife is precious to us because without it we don't have a project. It comes down to cooperation between us and the local community."

READ MORE: National Pride highlight fatal attacks on animals at Loch Fitty

Mr Whitlock said they were also still experiencing issues with people allowing dogs off their lead despite signage.

"We have breeding birds on the site – we have had five cygnets born this year. We have had it in the past where dogs have been left off the lead and one dog killed a swan. For our staff to have to clear that up, it is awful.

"I have been sent this morning a video recording of a spaniel and other dogs attacking the deer. We have also had incidents of poaching. That is why the site security is there to protect the wildlife. Without the wildlife, we don't have a project.

Swans and cygnets on Loch Fitty. (Image: National Pride) "We have a very rare white deer on site and there a lot of endangered or rare species on the site which we have come to know and love. The red squirrels population has doubled, there's pine martins which are extinct in England.

"We are very protective of the site so we just ask for people coming on the site to be respectful. It is a partnership.

"We have spent the best part of £10m on it so far. We have got a lot of plans with regard to what we are going to do and the next phase."