Beauty spot is now a 'tip'

Aug 14 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

BEAUTY SPOT IS NOW ‘A TIP’

A DISTRAUGHT Perth widow has condemned the heartless vandals and litter louts who desecrated her brother’s last resting place.

Seventy-six-year-old Reg Reed, who served in the Navy and saw the Sheffield go down during the Falklands War, died on January 1, 2007.

His sister, Margaret Erskine, of Primrose Crescent, decided to scatter his ashes over Craigie Knowes, where they spent countless happy hours playing as children.

But she was heartbroken when she returned there and discovered the area had become an eyesore and was littered with rubbish.

“I was really appalled,” said 67-year-old Margaret, who had planned to have her own ashes scattered there as well.

“There was broken glass, plastic bottles, drinks cups, bottle tops with jagged edges, cigarette packets, cigarette ends and other litter covering the whole area up to and around the flagpole.

“We were there paying homage to a loved one. It was very upsetting.”

Mrs Erskine and her family were brought up at 10 Abbot Crescent, in the Craigie/Darnhall area of the city.

The nearby Knowes and Buckie Braes were their regular haunts.

“We would spent countless hours there as children playing games. Reg’s heart lay in Craigie, where he had many happy memories.

“He didn’t want anyone standing at his grave in Wellshill on a miserable day.

“So I decided to scatter his ashes over Craigie Knowes, which has spectacular views.

“When you look over Perth and take in the view, you are at peace. And I knew Reg would be at peace.”

With this being the Year of the Homecoming, Mrs Erskine has called on the council to mount a massive clean-up operation.

A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council said: “A litter officer has been sent up to investigate the scale of the problem and to see what action will be necessary.”