A Lochaber community is being asked for its views on graffiti that has appeared on an historic tunnel under the Caledonian Canal.
A drawing of a bear, along with the warning “Beware of bear”, has been painted onto the stone walls of one of the under-passes that form the Mount Alexander Aquaduct, about half a mile north of Neptune’s Staircase at Banavie.
A photograph of the graffiti/artwork has now appeared in the latest publication of the Kilmallie Community News asking locals what they think of it.
It has been dubbed the “Canal Banksy” and people living in the area are being asked whether they consider it to be “outrageous vandalistic desecration of a Scheduled Ancient Monument or delightful, gentle humour, nicely executed”.
The article points out that a genuine Banksy would be worth millions of pounds and suggests “maybe this could help pay for the upkeep of the canal”.
Banksy is an anonymous British graffiti artist known for his graffiti artwork.
He began his spray-painting antics in Bristol in the early 1990s, then moved on to other parts of England and, by the early 2000s, his graffiti was appearing all over the world.
The artist usually uses stencils so the painting can be created in a short time.
Councillor Bill Clark, who lives at Banavie, said: “I would like to think it will come off easily and I wouldn’t like to see a continuation of this sort of thing.
“The content of this graffiti is harmless enough, but I hope it does not encourage graffiti which may be in bad taste or for it to start appearing in other places.”
He added that he had not received any complaints about it yet.
There are two parallel tunnels under the canal Thomas Telford built in 1815.
One accommodates a local burn the other pedestrian access to Mount Alexander Farm and for water at high-tide.
Scottish Canals could not be contacted for comment.