Royston community mural destroyed by vandals just weeks after unveiling

A fundraiser has been launched to restore a mural that was painted over by vandals just weeks after it was unveiled.

The Royston Community Heritage Mural, created at Spire View in Roystonhill at the end of April, was spray-painted over in blocks of green, white, and orange paint over the weekend.

Artist Annemarie Devlin, who created the mural in collaboration with local schools to celebrate what Royston means to its residents, has now launched a fundraiser to restore the artwork.

She has also called on both Rangers and Celtic to publicly condemn sectarian vandalism and said the mural had been created specifically to bring colour and pride to an area long affected by sectarian paint battles.

“Firstly, thank you”, she wrote. “The support, donations, shares, messages and kind words over the last few days have honestly meant so much to both myself and the wider community.

“Seeing people rally together after something so disheartening has reminded us that Glasgow is far bigger than pointless division and vandalism.

“The mural was created to bring colour, pride and positivity to a space that has long been caught in the cycle of sectarian paint battles and community damage. What happened to it is, unfortunately, part of a much wider issue seen across the city for years.

“My position remains the same: I believe both Rangers and Celtic should publicly condemn sectarian vandalism in all forms and continue encouraging respect for the communities people actually live in. How that support looks is ultimately up to them.

“The response to the GoFundMe has already been incredible, and any funds raised will go directly towards restoring the mural and helping protect community artwork moving forward. Any unused funds will be donated to the Roystonhill Foodbank to support local people within the community.

“If either football club wishes to contribute to this project, or support other communities affected by similar vandalism across Glasgow, they would be welcomed to do so.

“At the heart of this has always been about community, not division. And thankfully, the community spirit has massively outweighed the negativity.”

Police Scotland have been contacted for comment.