The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Links vandals put walkers at risk
Vandals have been slammed for putting Angus walkers at risk during their daily exercise on one of the world’s oldest golf courses.
The hooligans trashed signs and barriers put up as protection at the edge of Montrose medal links, where coastal erosion is cutting into the famous course and has created a dangerous drop to the beach.
The vandalism happened at the badlyeroded area around the third tee on the 1562 Course – renamed in 2018 to mark the significance of golf first being played there.
While golf is banned during lockdown, Montrose beach and the stretch along the top of the dunes have been popular with local walkers for their permitted exercise.
Montrose independent councillor
Mark Salmond said: “This mindless vandalism in removing the safety ropes and signage could have resulted in a danger to life and is totally irresponsible.
“I would appeal to the public using Montrose golf course, as part of their daily exercise, to respect the area and report any safety concerns to Angus Council.”
Barriers and signs are to be reinstated as soon as possible, but the sheer drop facing unsuspecting walkers has served to further illustrate the increasing extent of erosion on the ancient links.
The Montrose layout is the world’s fifth-oldest course and has been described as one of the most natural links in Scotland.
It has previously hosted the World Hickory Open, but has also been highlighted as one of the nation’s most at-risk courses in terms of climate change and coastal erosion.