The damaged statues are removed from Haining estate, above; the statues in the grounds, right; the house, below. photographs: alastair watson and rob gray
STATUES erected over a century ago on the terrace of a Borders mansion - bequeathed last ye
ar to the people of Selkirkshire - have been targeted by young vandals.
One of the six life-sized sculptures on the terrace of The Haining in Selkirk has been decapitated while another has been pushed from its plinth.
And yesterday, local contractors were called in to remove all the external works of art to a place of safekeeping.
It is the latest expense incurred by the executors of Andrew Nimmo-Smith, who died a year ago, aged 83, leaving his 18th century Palladian house, its 150-acre estate and £1million in cash "for the benefit of the community of Selkirkshire and the wider public".
Since then the Haining Charitable Trust has been set up and an appraisal of future uses is being carried out. A national gallery of modern art is understood to be one of the possible options.
Executor and trust member Susan Edington, a Galashiels solicitor, described the vandalism as "appalling" after visiting the house on Monday.
"I had heard reports from residents in the stable block of marauding youngsters under 18, drinking Buckfast and hanging around near the house late at night.
"With the big house empty I had always feared for the statues and I'm afraid those fears have been vindicated, It is all very sad."
Mrs Edington revealed that, as a result of the vandalism, which has also seen windows smashed and stone railings shattered, management/safeguarding staff and a guard dog would now been on site 24 hours a day.
"I have also arranged for CCTV cameras to be installed as soon as possible."
Mr Edington said that when asked to desist from using the terrace as a drinking den, one of the youngsters allegedly told a concerned member of the public: "It belongs to us; we can do what we like here!"
"I think the parents must take the lead and remind their children of their responsibilities and the true meaning of Mr Nimmo-Smith's generous bequest," said Mrs Edington.
And she claimed further damage could delay or even compromise the plans for the house and the estate.
"At present, the trust is charged to come up with a viable scheme and business plan before The Haining can be transferred by the executors and all this unnecessary expense is definitely not helping.
