Wigtown’s water supplies to be protected from vandals

Vandal attacks at a water reservoir in southern Scotland have prompted plans to try to protect the site.

Scottish Water said there had been “ongoing and repeated” incidents at its tank supplying Wigtown in Dumfries and Galloway.

It said the vandalism posed a “significant risk to the security and quality of the water supply for the local community”.

The company has lodged plans to put up a security fence in a bid to stop people getting in and causing damage.

The site sits on Windy Hill, about 250m (800ft) to the north of the town.

It is next to the Martyrs’ Monument which commemorates the lives of Covenanters who were executed for their beliefs.

Among their number were Margaret MacLachlan and Margaret Wilson who were tied to stakes on the town’s mudflats so that they drowned with the rising tide in 1685.

Scottish Water said it wanted to build the fence in “close proximity” to the monument but it would match the colour of the railings around the historic site in a bid to be as “sympathetic” as possible.

It said the local community council was supportive of the plans and recognised the importance of protecting the public water supply.

Police have also provided advice which the company said had been incorporated into their proposals.