A large gorse fire at an Angus golf course on Tuesday night is thought to have been started deliberately.
Police Scotland say they received reports of someone seeing youths setting fire to gorse bushes at Carnoustie’s Buddon Course.
They are now following positive lines of enquiry to trace those responsible for the blaze which was first spotted just after 8pm.
‘Positive lines of enquiry’
Inspector Mahboob Ahmad from Carnoustie Police Station said: “Around 8.40pm on Tuesday, police were called to a report of youths setting fire to bushes on the golf course in Carnoustie.
“Our investigation is ongoing to trace those responsible and we are following positive lines of enquiry in relation to this fire.
“I would ask anyone with information that may assist us to contact 101 with reference number CR/31638/22 or 3440 of July 12.”
No casualties
Two fire appliances – one from Carnoustie and one from Balmossie – attended the fire which took almost three hours to put out.
A spokeswoman for Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We received a call just after 8pm reporting that a large area of gorse was on fire at the golf course at Buddon.
“Two appliances were in attendance. There are no reported casualties. Fire crews left at 10.45pm.”
An eyewitness said: “You could smell the fire and smoke from Barry village and the plumes of smoke were visible for miles.
It was hard to get close but police and fire fighters were in attendance and seemed to be working hard to deal with the blaze which seemed to have taken a real hold.
“With such dry weather and dry gorse, it would not have taken long for the fire to get hold and spread quickly.”
Buddon Links
The Buddon Links was originally designed by Peter Alliss and the late Dave Thomas.
It was opened in 1979 but has seen many changes since then, including a $1 million investment to create two new holes.
The course is on former Ministry of Defence land.
All the holes are named after battles as recognition to the military, who have been good neighbours to Carnoustie since the 1830s.
On the seaward side of the course you will see one of the most important army training areas in the whole of Britain.
