“Totally unacceptable” – Swastika painted on tree in Princes Street Gardens  – Deadline News

LOCALS have been left horrified after a tree in Princes Street Gardens was spotted tagged with swastika graffiti. 

The tree was defaced with red paint, undecipherable lettering and the unmistakable Nazi symbol. 

A local spotted the “mindless vandalism” whilst admiring the crocus flowers that bloomed nearby, capturing the scene on camera. 

The graffiti has been reported to the council with the hope that the racist symbolism will be removed.  

Whilst many residents have been enjoying the blooms of Spring flowers throughout Edinburgh, one local’s experience was tainted after they spotted the symbol of the Nazi Party painted on a tree in the city centre. 

They posted a video of the area to social media yesterday, saying: “The beautiful display of crocus and narcissus in East Princes Street Gardens, has been despoiled by the fascist tagging of a nearby tree including a swastika.  

 “Please remove this immediately”. 

The video shows the gardens decorated with white and purple flowers and daffodils, but slowly pans to reveal the tree on the side of the path, with a large portion of its trunk defaced. 

The user goes on to say: “It was a shocking sight, especially as we’d just been admiring the beautiful display of flowering bulbs.  
 
“The area around the vandalised tree also seems to have become some kind of den for local teenagers – one hopes they are not also hate taggers?” 

SNP Councillor Finlay McFarlane for Edinburgh’s City Centre commented on the video, saying: “Oh gosh. Totally unacceptable, I will also contact team immediately.” 

And went on: “I was just admiring the crocus myself – it’s an amazing display this year. 

“How do you even clear graffiti from a tree?  

“Such mindless vandalism is so disappointing.” 

Edinburgh City Council have confirmed that the incident has been passed over to the relevant team and have been contacted for an updated response.