A much-loved green space in the picturesque Perthshire town of Crieff has been left reeling after a destructive fire, believed to have been deliberately started, ravaged its main storage shed. The incident, which took place late on Friday, November 21, 2025, has sparked deep sadness and anger among the dedicated volunteers and local residents who cherish the Crieff Community Garden.
Emergency services were alerted to the blaze at the garden, located off Monteath Street, just before 10pm. The fire swiftly engulfed the shed, reducing its entire contents to unsalvageable debris. The loss is extensive, encompassing a wide array of essential gardening tools and machinery, including several lawnmowers, a wood chipper, leaf blowers, strimmers, and litter pickers – all indispensable for the garden’s daily maintenance and public engagement programmes. Furthermore, stocks of paint and signage, numerous chairs used for community gatherings, and even water butts, planters, and a communal bench positioned adjacent to the shed, were all consumed by the flames. The monetary value of the destroyed property is estimated to exceed £2,000, representing a substantial blow to this volunteer-driven local initiative.
The circumstances surrounding the fire point strongly towards a deliberate act. A local resident living near the garden provided a concerning eyewitness account, observing a group of youths in the immediate vicinity as fire crews were arriving on scene. This neighbour also distinctly recalled hearing a loud ‘bang,’ which is thought to have been the sound of petrol, likely from one of the stored lawnmowers, combusting within the inferno. These observations have profoundly influenced the police investigation, which is now treating the fire as wilful.
For the unwavering team of volunteers at the Crieff Community Garden, this act of destruction transcends mere material loss; it represents a profound emotional and communal wound. Catriona Smith, a prominent figure and dedicated volunteer in the garden project, candidly articulated the deep-seated sorrow felt by many. She expressed profound heartbreak, voicing a fervent hope that the Crieff community gardeners would receive an outpouring of local support to surmount this immense hurdle, steadfastly refusing to let the perpetrators achieve a victory over their collective spirit. A Community Hub Facing Repeated Adversity
The Crieff Community Garden is far more than just a patch of cultivated land; it is a vibrant testament to community resilience and collaboration. Its transformation began in March 2020, blossoming into a vital outdoor project during the unprecedented period of lockdown. What started as a shared vision to clear neglected ground and cultivate new life has evolved into an invaluable community resource, enriching the lives of countless individuals and families across Crieff and the surrounding Perth and Kinross area.
Over the years, the garden has flourished into a diverse and engaging green space. It boasts dedicated zones for children, featuring a popular mud kitchen, numerous raised planting beds for community members to grow their own produce, and a functional polycarbonate greenhouse that extends growing seasons. The garden actively hosts a range of community events, from organised litter picks that foster civic pride to educational sessions where local nurseries and school pupils enthusiastically participate in planting activities and learn about nurturing vegetables, connecting with nature in a tangible way.
However, this latest act of devastation is not an isolated incident. Catriona Smith revealed that the garden has been a target of recurrent vandalism, recalling a particularly “heavy onslaught of vandalism” that occurred in October 2023. This pattern of malicious damage has taken a severe toll on the morale of the dedicated volunteers. Catriona openly shared the emotional burden, stating that the very place which once filled her with immense joy and pride now, sadly, triggers feelings that compel her to actively avoid it, due to the persistent negative impact on her mental well-being.
She further highlighted the frustration inherent in continuously repairing and replacing damaged property. Each piece of discarded litter or act of destruction, she explained, feels like a painful blow to her and every individual who has freely contributed their time and effort to cultivate this cherished community greenspace. A significant concern for the volunteers is the financial implication: a substantial portion of the garden’s funding is provided by Perth and Kinross Council. Catriona pointed out the regrettable reality that local taxpayers’ money, specifically allocated to support community initiatives, is repeatedly being diverted to address senseless acts of destruction. She articulated a strong sense of indignation that individuals within the community would engage in such destructive behaviour without facing appropriate accountability. Her poignant words, “It sickens me that members of our community would do this, and never seem to be held to account. Certainly no one reimburses our community group everytime they smash a bench or set fire to a lawnmower,” underscore the deep-seated frustration felt by those who tirelessly work for the betterment of their local environment. Official Investigations Underway
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed their response to the incident, with a spokesperson stating: “We were mobilised at 9.58pm on Friday. It was a fire in the open that one pump was deployed to extinguish. The stop message came in at 10.45pm. Police were informed about the incident.”
Police Scotland has since launched a full investigation into the matter. A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed: “Around 10.35pm on Friday, 21 November, 2025, officers received a report of a fire on Monteath Street, Crieff. The fire is being treated as wilful, and enquiries are ongoing. Please quote incident number 3827 of Friday, 21 November 2025.” The classification of the fire as “wilful” by authorities unequivocally indicates a deliberate act, intensifying the local community’s concern and widespread condemnation of the incident.
This disheartening setback for the Crieff Community Garden serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by volunteer-led projects across Perth and Kinross. These invaluable community assets, often sustained by the sheer dedication and unwavering generosity of local residents, thrive on a foundation of respect and collective support. While the rebuilding process for the Crieff Community Garden will undoubtedly demand considerable effort and resources, the resilient spirit and strong sense of community typically seen in Crieff and other Perthshire towns are expected to rally in the face of adversity. Local residents, businesses, and organisations are already beginning to explore avenues for assistance, including potential fundraising drives, donations of replacement equipment, and renewed volunteer efforts, all aimed at restoring this beloved green space for the enjoyment and benefit of everyone in the community.
Emergency services were alerted to the blaze at the garden, located off Monteath Street, just before 10pm. The fire swiftly engulfed the shed, reducing its entire contents to unsalvageable debris. The loss is extensive, encompassing a wide array of essential gardening tools and machinery, including several lawnmowers, a wood chipper, leaf blowers, strimmers, and litter pickers – all indispensable for the garden’s daily maintenance and public engagement programmes. Furthermore, stocks of paint and signage, numerous chairs used for community gatherings, and even water butts, planters, and a communal bench positioned adjacent to the shed, were all consumed by the flames. The monetary value of the destroyed property is estimated to exceed £2,000, representing a substantial blow to this volunteer-driven local initiative.
The circumstances surrounding the fire point strongly towards a deliberate act. A local resident living near the garden provided a concerning eyewitness account, observing a group of youths in the immediate vicinity as fire crews were arriving on scene. This neighbour also distinctly recalled hearing a loud ‘bang,’ which is thought to have been the sound of petrol, likely from one of the stored lawnmowers, combusting within the inferno. These observations have profoundly influenced the police investigation, which is now treating the fire as wilful.
For the unwavering team of volunteers at the Crieff Community Garden, this act of destruction transcends mere material loss; it represents a profound emotional and communal wound. Catriona Smith, a prominent figure and dedicated volunteer in the garden project, candidly articulated the deep-seated sorrow felt by many. She expressed profound heartbreak, voicing a fervent hope that the Crieff community gardeners would receive an outpouring of local support to surmount this immense hurdle, steadfastly refusing to let the perpetrators achieve a victory over their collective spirit. A Community Hub Facing Repeated Adversity
The Crieff Community Garden is far more than just a patch of cultivated land; it is a vibrant testament to community resilience and collaboration. Its transformation began in March 2020, blossoming into a vital outdoor project during the unprecedented period of lockdown. What started as a shared vision to clear neglected ground and cultivate new life has evolved into an invaluable community resource, enriching the lives of countless individuals and families across Crieff and the surrounding Perth and Kinross area.
Over the years, the garden has flourished into a diverse and engaging green space. It boasts dedicated zones for children, featuring a popular mud kitchen, numerous raised planting beds for community members to grow their own produce, and a functional polycarbonate greenhouse that extends growing seasons. The garden actively hosts a range of community events, from organised litter picks that foster civic pride to educational sessions where local nurseries and school pupils enthusiastically participate in planting activities and learn about nurturing vegetables, connecting with nature in a tangible way.
However, this latest act of devastation is not an isolated incident. Catriona Smith revealed that the garden has been a target of recurrent vandalism, recalling a particularly “heavy onslaught of vandalism” that occurred in October 2023. This pattern of malicious damage has taken a severe toll on the morale of the dedicated volunteers. Catriona openly shared the emotional burden, stating that the very place which once filled her with immense joy and pride now, sadly, triggers feelings that compel her to actively avoid it, due to the persistent negative impact on her mental well-being.
She further highlighted the frustration inherent in continuously repairing and replacing damaged property. Each piece of discarded litter or act of destruction, she explained, feels like a painful blow to her and every individual who has freely contributed their time and effort to cultivate this cherished community greenspace. A significant concern for the volunteers is the financial implication: a substantial portion of the garden’s funding is provided by Perth and Kinross Council. Catriona pointed out the regrettable reality that local taxpayers’ money, specifically allocated to support community initiatives, is repeatedly being diverted to address senseless acts of destruction. She articulated a strong sense of indignation that individuals within the community would engage in such destructive behaviour without facing appropriate accountability. Her poignant words, “It sickens me that members of our community would do this, and never seem to be held to account. Certainly no one reimburses our community group everytime they smash a bench or set fire to a lawnmower,” underscore the deep-seated frustration felt by those who tirelessly work for the betterment of their local environment. Official Investigations Underway
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed their response to the incident, with a spokesperson stating: “We were mobilised at 9.58pm on Friday. It was a fire in the open that one pump was deployed to extinguish. The stop message came in at 10.45pm. Police were informed about the incident.”
Police Scotland has since launched a full investigation into the matter. A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed: “Around 10.35pm on Friday, 21 November, 2025, officers received a report of a fire on Monteath Street, Crieff. The fire is being treated as wilful, and enquiries are ongoing. Please quote incident number 3827 of Friday, 21 November 2025.” The classification of the fire as “wilful” by authorities unequivocally indicates a deliberate act, intensifying the local community’s concern and widespread condemnation of the incident.
This disheartening setback for the Crieff Community Garden serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by volunteer-led projects across Perth and Kinross. These invaluable community assets, often sustained by the sheer dedication and unwavering generosity of local residents, thrive on a foundation of respect and collective support. While the rebuilding process for the Crieff Community Garden will undoubtedly demand considerable effort and resources, the resilient spirit and strong sense of community typically seen in Crieff and other Perthshire towns are expected to rally in the face of adversity. Local residents, businesses, and organisations are already beginning to explore avenues for assistance, including potential fundraising drives, donations of replacement equipment, and renewed volunteer efforts, all aimed at restoring this beloved green space for the enjoyment and benefit of everyone in the community.