Schoolboy charged with causing damage to historic stones in Aberdeenshire

A teenage boy has been charged in connection with a series of deliberate fires and causing damage to historic stones in Aberdeenshire.

Yellow and white paint was sprayed onto ‘The Stone Circle’ just north of Monymusk in Inverurie between 6.45pm and 7.10pm on May 15.

The granite stones, known to locals as The Druids, are likely to date to the 3rd millennium BC, according to Historic Environment Scotland.

The monument is described as being “of national importance because it has an inherent potential to make a significant addition to the understanding of the past, in particular the religious and ritual practices of late-Neolithic and Bronze-Age peoples in Scotland”.

Police Scotland said two trees nearby were also set alight.

A short time later, a large stack of firewood was also set alight near the Bothy Walk area of Monymusk.

Both fires were quickly extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service with no damage to any other property.

Officers have since charged a 15-year-old boy in connection with the incident.

He is due to be reported to the relevant Youth Justice authorities.