A Highland beekeeping business has been left counting the cost after vandals emptied nearly 200 gallons of sticky syrup onto a Black Isle roadside.
The vandals struck at Struan Apiaries in Conon Bridge on Sunday by breaking a seal on the tank and releasing approximately 197 gallons of a highly concentrated sugar syrup onto the road.
The liquid, worth approximately £1,000, is used by the company for feeding their bees during the winter.
Yesterday company director Martin Robertson described the incident as “sheer stupidity”. He also revealed it was not the first time their supplies have been targeted.
Police are now investigating the spill and have urged anybody who saw suspicious activity in the Burnside Lane area between 4pm and 6pm on Sunday to come forward.
Struan Apiaries is one of the largest suppliers of blossom and heather honey in the Highlands, with hives all over the north.
It has been run by the Robertson family for more than 40 years.
The syrup was stored in a large container at the back of their Burnside Lane building and will now need to be replaced.
The syrup was needed because poor summer weather meant the bee colonies could not gather enough nectar to keep them alive over winter.
Mr Robertson said: “It’s just a big inconvenience and a loss of money because of some sheer stupidity.
“They’ve just opened the valve, burst the seal and let everything out.
“It’s just stupid, the syrup is of absolutely no use to anyone apart from for feeding bees, it’s completely useless for anything else.”
The spillage has been cleaned up as much as possible using power washers, but some residue of the sticky concentrate has been left behind.
The company had been previously vandalised in a similar way and which eventually took months to fully clear.
A police spokesman urged anyone with information to get in touch.
He said: “On Sunday, September 20, between the hours of 4pm and 6pm, approximately 900litres (197 gallons) of a viscous liquid – syrup used in food production, was emptied on to the roadside.
“If anyone has any information about the incident they are encouraged to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
“No personal details are taken information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.”