The clubhouse at of one of Moray’s most picturesque golf courses has been ransacked by vandals.
Staff at Cullen Golf Club were horrified when they discovered that crooks had smashed their way into the premises and turned it upside down in a suspected hunt for cash.
Club captain David Sellar said that no money is kept in the office overnight, and confirmed that no property was stolen.
But he said the incident had left members “shocked” and caused damage worth hundreds of pounds.
Mr Sellar was awoken at 2am on Monday morning when the security firm that looks after the clubhouse’s alarm system informed him it had been set off, but did not suspect anything was amiss until hours later.
He said: “I’ve had calls like that before, but it has always just been a moth or butterfly that has caused the alarms to go off, so I thought little of it.
“It was only when the cleaners arrived later that morning that we realised what happened, and contacted the police.
“These people have gone in and wrecked the place.
“The window was smashed and there was shards of glass everywhere, even between the keys on the computer keyboard.
“It’s come as a shock to all of us here.”
Throughout Monday, police forensic experts scoured the building for clues that could help identify the culprits.
A police spokesman appealed for anyone with any information on the break-in to come forward.
He said: “It appears individuals broke into the golf club and caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage, but it doesn’t seem like anything was stolen.
“We would appeal for anyone with any information on the break-in to come forward.”
The golf club, which was founded in 1870, is the second historic Cullen business to be targeted by vandals in less than seven days.
Last week, the A-listed Seafield Arms Hotel – which is currently under renovation – was broken into.
More than 30 windows were smashed, and roughly £500 worth of damage was caused.
Mr Sellar added: “I would think it may be the same group behind both incidents, which is worrying to a lot of people in
Cullen.”