The owner of a new Perth business has been left counting the cost of two attacks on his art gallery.
For the second time in three weeks, a large window at the Saltire Gallery, at 59 George Street, has been shattered by vandals.
The latest incident in the early hours of Wednesday morning left owner Ron Wilson (82) wondering if he made the right decision to go ahead with his venture.
“I chose Perth to come out of retirement and open this place,” he said. “There is something far wrong we have only been open three months and the same window has been put in twice.
“To happen once was bad enough but it has happened twice in three weeks. If it is aimed at me I don’t know why.”
The police were alerted around 6am by a nearby resident who heard a number of bangs which set off the alarm. Nothing was taken in the incident and Mr Wilson believes that a crowbar found in the area may have been used in the attack.
The cost of replacing the window is more than £400 and the second incident left Mr Wilson demoralised but still determined to carry on in the face of the setback.
“I have always loved Perth and I do not want to go sour on it but it has gone sour on me,” he said. “I really don’t need this at my age.”
He also felt that the damage created a bad impression on visitors to Perth in one of the area’s most upmarket retail streets.
An artist who has previously run art galleries, Mr Wilson moved to Perthshire to be near family members. As well as providing a showcase for a number of artists, the gallery features Mr Wilson’s own work.
The West End Gallery at 38 George Street has also had windows broken twice in the last year.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the police on 0300 111 2222.