Ross residents flag cemetery flooding concerns at Logie Easter near Kildary; Easter Ross graveyard 'in a terrible state' amid fears over flood impact
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RESIDENTS of a Ross-shire community are concerned about the long-term effect of flooding on its local cemetery.
The problem centres on Logie Easter Cemetery, near Milton.
Highland Council, which manages the cemetery, has said it will be watching the area around the graveyard and car park for any signs of flooding.
Shopkeeper James Taylor (66), who has family members buried in the cemetery, said although his loved ones' graves are high up and not at risk, he has serious concerns for other families, who do not live locally.
Mr Taylor, who runs Milton Stores in Kildary, said: "Somebody has got to stand up and speak for all the relatives that do not live here, and are not able to visit here at the moment. Anyone visiting the graveyard in the last few days will have been horrified at what they have seen."
In the last year it is understood that one family has paid to have their loved one exhumed and moved to a new cemetery elsewhere so distraught were they over the state of flooding.
It is understood that they raised the issue with the council at the time of the exhumation.
Mr Taylor continued: "The flooding has been very bad. The car park flooding makes it almost impossible to get into the car park and I believe that some of the graves nearer to the bottom of the cemetery are already flooded.
"It has happened before about a year ago. The council came and tried to deal with it. They put in new earth and stones and it seemed to work for the last year.
"But this year it seems to be worse, and we need help to improve it. There needs to be a trench that all the water can go into and be taken away from the area."
He continued: "Anyone passing on the A9 can see it. It is in a terrible state."
A Highland Council spokesman said: “We have inspected the area and due to the recent rain and thaw, the ground is slightly waterlogged, however this should drain away as soon as the weather improves."
It said it is working with partner agencies to alleviate a possible drainage problem nearby.
