Council sorry after moving gravestones

A SCOTS council has been forced to issue a public apology after removing hundreds of gravestones without letting relatives of the dead know.

Orkney Islands Council (OIC) uprooted and flattened memorial stones it considered ‘dangerous’ to public safety at a number of cemeteries.

But the move sparked a huge outcry from some bereaved families and could eventually cost the authority tens of thousands of pounds to rectify the situation.

The health and safety operation came in the wake of the tragic death of eight-yearold Ciaran Williamson after a headstone fell on him in May 2015 as he played with friends in Craigton Cemetery in Glasgow.

The Scottish Government later instructed all councils to inspect graveyards within their areas to avoid a similar accident from taking place.

Yesterday Harvey Johnston, convener of OIC, said: ‘I would like to apologise profusely for the state the kirkyards are in and also for the hurt that has caused.

‘We will develop a new procedure where you can identify the stones that are in danger and mark them.’

He disclosed that the council will not be able to reinstate every single stone because some were found to be unsafe.

Alistair Buchan, OIC chief executive, said: ‘We’ve listened to the public’s upset over this and we’ve committed to putting our cemeteries back into a state that the public would expect.’