Woodland trail Gruffalo sculpture refurbished in son's memory vandalised

A sculpture of beloved children’s book character The Gruffalo has been vandalised on the outskirts of Inverness.

The statue is one of a number of sculptures situated on a woodland trail at Culloden Avenue in Culloden village.

A number of the sculptures are inspired by children’s author Julia Donaldson’s characters, which were brought to life in the books by illustrator Axel Scheffer and later turned into popular short films.

Local mum Daisy McKenzie raised thousands of pounds to refurbish the sculptures in memory of her baby son Albie, who passed away aged one on April 28, 2023.

Work was carried out by Culloden Community Council and extra statues were added to the popular trail.

However it has since emerged that one of the statues, nicknamed The Gruffalo Child, has been vandalised.

It is thought vandals attempted to remove the sculpture.

Police believe the incident occured between 5pm on Friday, June 26 and 7.55am on Saturday, June 27.

Culloden Community Council said: “To see any part of this project deliberately damaged is deeply disappointing and disheartening. Acts of vandalism not only affect the physical structures but also undermine the hard work and generosity of those who have given their time and resources to improve our community.

“We would ask anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious, or who has any information relating to this incident, to please contact our Facebook page or report it directly to Police Scotland. The matter has already been reported to the police.

“Together, we can help protect and preserve the community spaces that so many people have worked so hard to create.”

A police statement on social media read: “The trail is well used and loved by both locals and the wider community.

“If you were in the area at this time and have any information please contact Police Scotland on 101 and quote CR/0286823/26.”,