A Perthshire historian claims the council has “reneged” on its responsibility for a local site of religious significance.
Colin Mayall, who has written and spoken on Strathearn local history for a number of years, has written to councillors and lodged a complaint with the council about the state of the former Crieff Parish Church and graveyard in the centre of town.
“For 100 years the old building in Church Street fulfilled a purposeful role for both the congregation and a multitude of other organisations in Crieff,” said Mr Mayall of the building, which was sold off but has yet to find a sustainable use.
“The church has been broken into on a number of occasions and badly vandalised,” he added. “The area has become a haven for certain elements of our society.
“The problems are compounded by the fact that the adjoining graveyard is totally neglected and overgrown with a jungle of grass and bushes.”
Mr Mayall said that for some years the council carried out grass cutting but none has been carried out this year at the site, which has a significance stretching back hundreds of years.
“Their tacit responsibility was further acknowledged when they determined to facilitate the grass cutting process by removing the majority of the 130-plus memorials,” he said.
“The council do seem to have reneged on what is, in my opinion, a quite clear case of responsibility for the upkeep of this ancient, and so very important part, of our Crieff heritage.
“There have been at least three churches located on this site, dating back, in probability, to 600AD when the baptisms were carried out in the Alligan Burn which flowed through the site.
“The first school in the town was located here immediately after the Reformation. A sign at the entrance proudly proclaims the importance of this to the heritage of Strathearn. Perhaps someone should tell the council.”
A spokesman for the council said: “Following a public consultation, changes to the grounds maintenance service provided by Perth and Kinross Council came into force in 2013. These changes ensure we take a consistent and fair approach to all sites maintained by the council.
“Grass is only cut on areas which are maintained by the council. These are areas which are either owned by the council or where there is a standing maintenance agreement. St Michael’s Churchyard in Crieff is not owned by Perth and Kinross Council and it is the property owner’s responsibility to cut the grass.
“In keeping with the Burial Grounds (Scotland) Act, we keep associated roads and paths in good repair.
“Following an annual inspection of the site in Crieff, we carry out any maintenance that is required on an ad-hoc basis.
“The council has cut the grass a number of times since the service changes were implemented last year, to allow the property owner to put alternative maintenance arrangements in place.”