A landmark golf course cafe was left in ruins after a blaze totally destroyed the building on Thursday evening.
Thirty firefighters were called to the Tee Shack at Covesea Golf Links on the outskirts of Lossiemouth at around 8.30pm – but could do little to save the building that was already well ablaze.
The nine-hole links course on the B9040 Lossiemouth to Hopeman road is popular with tourists and locals. Firefighters – including a water carrier from Buckie – used high-pressure jets and breathing apparatus to fight the blaze at the building which was opened at the course two years ago. No casualties have been reported.
A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “Four appliances were deployed to the scene, two from Elgin and one from Lossiemouth and Forres, along with a water carrier from Buckie.
“An incident report van and a support pump were sent from Peterhead to assist more than 30 firefighters who had used jets and breathing apparatus.”
Since opening in April 2012 the fully licensed Tee Shack has provided local people and visitors with snacks and light lunches as well as operating speciality evening meals that proved particularly popular.
Hopeman-based Heldon and Laich councillor Eric McGillivray last night welcomed the fact that there had been no reported injuries. He said: “The fire has resulted in the loss of a really good tourist facility which was popular with visitors to the area.
“Although there are not casualties as such my heart goes out to the owners of the cafe for losing their business – especially at this time of the year.”
The course has suffered from incidents in the last few years including thefts of tools and machinery. Investigations into the cause of the blaze are ongoing.