An Aviemore community leader has expressed his shock and concern after a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted outside a local nightclub.
Alistair Dargie, vice-chairman of the local community council, said he was “saddened” by the reports and would be raising concerns with police at the group’s next meeting.
Officers were yesterday continuing their investigations into the alleged attack, which involved a woman who is in her early 20s.
The incident happened in the area known as “the tunnel” beside The Vault nightclub, in Grampian Road, at about 1.30am on New Year’s Day.
Mr Dargie, who represents Aviemore and Vicinity Community Council, said: “I was surprised and saddened to hear this had happened.
“The tunnel is only the width of the railway line, so it’s not very long, and there are always people around there when the nightclub is open.”
He added that the community council was not aware of any concerns being expressed about the tunnel before the incident.
“However, we usually have a police representative at our community council meetings so I’m sure we will bring this up at our next meeting,” said Mr Dargie.
Officers are still trying to trace all the people who were in the area at the time and have appealed for any witnesses to come forward.
Police are also continuing their investigations into a fight near Inverness city centre early on Wednesday morning.
The incident between two men resulted in one of them being taken to Raigmore Hospital with a head injury.
The assault took place on Huntly Street, which runs along the west bank of the River Ness, at about 3.30am.
It is understood the injured man and his alleged assailant are Polish.
Anyone with any information on either incident is asked to contact police on 101.