Farmers offer reward for information on tractor arsonists

Farmers are offering a substantial reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for deliberately setting fire to a Massey Ferguson tractor on a farm in Scotland.

The arson attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday 23 March at Eastmill Farm in Glenisla, Angus, leaving the farm without its only tractor, a devastating blow for the owners at a critical time of year.

Mimi Forbes, whose husband and mother-in-law work at Eastmill Farm, spoke out on Facebook about the shock and distress caused by the mindless attack.

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“Too many farm and rural crimes get swept under the rug and forgotten about,” she said.

“It is a horrible feeling knowing, at this time of year when [farmers] Adam Forbes and Pamela Nicol can be out on the farm calving at any hour of the day, that they or their belongings may not be safe.”

The fire, which was started just after 2am, destroyed the only tractor at the farm, a Massey Ferguson 6713S, an essential tool during the busy calving season.

The feed mixer wagon which was attached to the tractor was also written off.

CCTV captured two men on the farm loitering near the tractor. One had a distinctive limp and was over 6ft tall, the other was smaller.

© Pamela Nicol

Police think the men may have been wearing night vision goggles because they were not using a torch.

The farmers believe the men punched a hole in the tractor’s fuel tank and set fire to the machine with a petrol bomb.

“They knew exactly where the fuel tank was on the tractor and went straight to it,” said farm manager Pamela Nicol. “Whoever did this will have gone home that night reeking of diesel fuel and one of the men may have suffered burns.

“We are struggling to feed the cattle because we don’t have the necessary equipment.”

Ms Nicol thanked the farming community – near and far – for their incredible offers of support and messages of sympathy.

“The farming community is absolutely awesome. The offers of help and getting the loan of a tractor from a local dealer has been a godsend,” she said.

Motive unknown

The farmers say they have no idea why anyone would wish to target them.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.