Christmas visit to site of fire tragedy banned

Family of man killed in fire at luxury resort threaten to protest on December 25

The family of a man killed in a fire at a luxury resort outside Dundee have threatened to stage a Christmas Day protest after claims they are banned from laying tributes to him.

Jamie McLennan, 26, was killed when fire tore through the lodge at Piperdam Golf and Leisure on September 24 2015.

Since then, his father Neil, 61, from Kincorth, has visited Piperdam three times a year to pay his respects – on the anniversary of Jamie’s death, his birthday and Christmas Day.

But bosses at the luxury resort have said he will only be allowed to visit between noon and 2pm on two days, and not at all on Christmas Day.

Mr McLennan said he was considering taking drastic action if the sanction is not lifted – by bringing a busload of 55 people to the resort to protest the decision on Christmas Day.

He said: “This has been a way for me to feel close to Jamie, and it bothered nobody, but now I’ve been told I am not welcome.

“Over the years many people have asked to join me but I have chosen just to leave flowers there on their behalf. Now I am seriously considering coming down with a busload of 55 friends and family for a peaceful protest on Christmas Day, with banners to let people know what’s happened.”

Jamie’s sister Natasha McLennan said: “Piperdam Golf and Leisure Resort in Dundee are treating me and my family with so little respect.

“They are so thoughtless. All we want is to pay tribute to Jamie and leave some flowers at a place that holds meaning to us.

“We get a lot of peace from visiting this place and they are trying to take it away. They should be so ashamed.

“The say they wish to discuss matters with my dad which I know is not the case, they sent a list of ridiculous rules which we have to follow – such as no more than two of us allowed on the site – so I can’t go with my three siblings, only one.

“This is also only allowed on a Monday and Friday between noon and 2pm whilst no guests are there, then the tribute will be disposed of.

“I could go on but the list is too long and so ridiculous.

“I hope they are pleased with themselves, my family are struggling and grieving enough with the loss of my brother and this has just added mounds of unnecessary stress and hurt that my family doesn’t need.”

A spokesman for Coppergreen Developments, which owns Piperdam, said: “We tried to make suitable arrangements that balance his sensitive interests with the interests of guests.

“We remain willing to continue private discussions with Mr McLennan to fund a suitable arrangement.”

All we want is to pay tribute to Jamie and leave some flowers at a place that holds meaning to us. NATASHA MCLENNAN

Police, forensics and fire service teams conducted investigations after a lodge at Piperdam Golf and Leisure was burnt down on September 24 2015, and Jamie McLennan was killed.