Shock as town’s decorated stone trail dwindles

Around 600 personalised rocks go missing from colourful caterpillar in Monifieth

Residents in Monifieth have been left shocked after hundreds of stones from the town’s lockdown caterpillar vanished.

The trail was created by Joanne Lindsay, along with daughters Megan, 11 and Olivia, six, when they started leaving decorated stones on the ground near Grange Road.

Locals added to the trail and it had reached almost 1,600 stones.

However, the community was stunned to discover around 600 stones were missing from the caterpillar yesterday morning.

Their whereabouts are a mystery but the Lindsay family has appealed for information as the caterpillar, which stretches to around 123 metres, has become a source of pride for the Monifieth community.

It is hoped the stones were not taken maliciously and that they may have been picked up by workers cutting grass nearby.

Joanne said her daughters were “devastated” to discover the stones had been removed.

She said: “The girls took our dog for a walk but they came back within minutes to say that loads of our stones weren’t there anymore. We’ve taken another look and we’d guess about 600 stones have gone missing.

“It’s quite a clear line that’s gone so I’m inclined to say it’s not been a malicious incident with someone throwing them away.”

She said the family hoped to retrieve the missing stones as there have been calls for the trail to be cemented and become a permanent fixture.

“The work the local children and adults have put into the caterpillar is just amazing and it just makes everyone so happy,” she said.

“The girls are devastated that the stones are gone.

“They walk past them every day and had started measuring how long the line was – it’s a big part of the Monifieth community.”

Councillor Craig Fotheringham said: “I am hoping this has not been an act of vandalism as that would just be disgraceful.

“A constituent contacted me earlier this week about the possibility of making the caterpillar permanent and a council officer has attended to assess how we make this a reality.”

Angus Council did not respond to The Courier’s request but Mr Fotheringham said he understood the local authority was not behind the removal.

BEAR Scotland, which also carries out work in the area, said it was not aware of its team removing the stones either.

Picture: Gareth Jennings. The trail of decorated stones in Grange Road.