A north councillor has hit out at plans to attack the statue of the first duke of Sutherland, which overlooks Goslpie.
Activist Katie Laird is mobilising support for a rally on Friday at the peak of Ben Braggie, where the controversial memorial stands.
The statue, known locally as the Mannie, has survived a series of attacks carried out over the years because of the duke’s central role in the Highland Clearances.
Ms Laird is running a Facebook campaign to muster support for the rally when she hopes to topple the imposing 100 foot high effigy.
She states: “The Mannie needs to go. Rebel now or regret missing the opportunity for ever.
“George Granville Leveson-Gower, the first duke of Sutherland, and a landowner who was responsible for the most notorious of the Highland Clearances in the 19th century.
“It is an extravagant tribute to a man who valued profit more than the life of his tenants, and it is time for it to be demolished.”
Deirdre Mackay, Highland Councillor for east Sutherland and Edderton, defends the right for people to stage a rally, provided social distancing is observed.
She said: “People, of course, have the right to meet, debate and have a rally. That is democracy.
“It’s very healthy to look at what happened in our history but to ensure it is set in the context of the times.
“Personally, I think the statue is of immense value and should be left and the balanced story told – that is one of injustice and wrongs done to people and the need for us to do whatever possible to ensure such injustices can never happen again.”
Saying she would not condone demolishing or damaging the statue, Mrs Mackay said it would take a formidable effort to level it.
“Periodically, there have been forays by activists who have taken chisels to chip away little bits of it but the plinth is very substantial and would take some effort to topple.”
The statue was erected in 1837, four years after the duke’s death.
It has been targeted by Scottish independence activists over the years, with a number of unsuccessful bids made to demolish it.
In 2014, a ‘Yes’ banner was hung on it during the pro-independence campaign while the plinth has had graffiti sprayed on it, including the word ‘monster’.
The duke oversaw the forced removal of families from his estate to make way for sheep farming, leaving many homeless and destitute.
He served two terms as MP and was at the time one of the biggest landowners in the country.
Inspector James Rice, area inspector for Easter Ross and Sutherland, said: “We are aware of social media posts relating to a protest possibly taking place in Golspie. We are making efforts to engage with the organisers and any event would be policed appropriately.
“However, we would ask anyone who wants to protest to find another way of doing so that keeps everyone safe.
“The regulations remain that people should only leave the house for very limited purposes, for example for basic necessities, for exercise or recreation, for medical needs or travelling for work which cannot be done from home.
“The Chief Constable has made it clear that we are asking people to take personal responsibility to do the right thing and remember the purpose of these measures is to aid the collective effort to stay safe, protect others and save lives by preventing the virus from spreading.”
View the campaign on Facebook here.