The owner of a Perthshire fishing hut says he is financially “ruined” after thousands of pounds’ worth of equipment was stolen from the premises.
Thieves trashed the unattended log cabin on a stretch of the River Tay between Strathtay and Pitnacree after breaking the door down on Sunday afternoon.
Owner Ian Beaton, 48, was visiting his elderly mum in Glasgow at the time – his first day off in three months.
He had only set up the Perthshire business earlier this year, after quitting his job as an undertaker.
The suspects made off with fishing rods and gear, cooking equipment, bottles of whisky and clothing after vandalising the hut.
Ian, who discovered the break-in on Monday morning, says they left no stone unturned – destroying the heating system and even tipping out the teabags.
Police are now hunting for the thieves – believed to be two poachers with a dark car, according to witnesses.
Ian’s fishing hut – known as Pitnacree and Balnabeggan Fishings – offers permits, warm meals and tackle storage for anglers that fish in the area.
He said: “They’ve taken absolutely everything out of it.
“They have destroyed it – they have fused the heating system, they have pulled all the wiring out for the controllers of the expensive solar system that we have installed, taken fishing rods, salmon fishing tackle.
“They are away with all my fishing clothes, waterproof jackets, bottles of whisky, things like that.
“They’ve even taken a £140 leisure battery as well.”
He says the value of the damage and stolen goods is “several thousand” and has “finished off” his business, which he only opened in January.
‘This just finishes me off’
He added: “I gave up my career as an undertaker in Glasgow for 25 years to come up here and to set up this business.
“It has been struggling because of the lack of fish this year and now they’ve absolutely ruined me – this just finishes me off.”
Ian says the local community has rallied around him since he appealed for help to find the culprits on social media.
He said: “The locals have been absolutely amazing.
“They have been down to see me, asking me if I need clothes and equipment and anything they can do to help me
“I am hoping that through other gamekeepers and gillies that have offered to loan me equipment that I will be able to keep the business open – only just.”
Police launch investigation
A spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed the break-in is under investigation.
The force said: “Between 8pm on Saturday and 7am on Monday, items of fishing equipment were stolen from a hut on the banks of the River Tay at Pitnacree near Grandtully.”
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