Out of order! Peebles loos 'will not be able to be used going forward' following fire
A teenager is due in court today after being charged in connection with the incident...
Last updated 7th Oct 2025
Concerns are being raised over the future of public toilets in Peebles after they were severely damaged in a suspected arson attack.
Police are continuing to investigate the incident, which happened around 3.40am on Monday.
The nearby McFarlane Hall and Peebles Golf Club were also found alight in the hours that followed.
The fires come three years after the town's swimming pool was forced to close for a lengthy period after being damaged in a deliberate fire.
Police say a 17-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the latest incidents.
Local councillor Julie Pirone told Greatest Hits Radio: "I am absolutely staggered at what's happened, particularly to the toilets which are now completely and utterly out of action.
"I have called for an emergency meeting to discuss the situation, because what is important is that the toilet provision is looked at quickly, so that we have toilets for local people and visitors to use."
But she added: "Kingsmeadows (loos) will not be able to be used going forward."
It's not the first time the toilets have been targeted with more than ten incidents of vandalism reported since the start of the year.
This includes toilet roll holders being destroyed, paper rolls set on fire and stuffed into toilets, windows and doors being smashed, toilet seats broken and the electronic locking system damaged.
Councillor Pirone praised the emergency services for their quick response and appealed to anyone with information to contact them.
"My thanks also go to the wonderful council staff who have been on site and who are cleaning up a mess," she said. "This is not the first time they've had to do it in the last couple of months - it's about the fourth or fifth time.
"Over the last couple of years, anti-social behaviour throughout Tweeddale has decreased significantly because of the real hard work of the police force, the school and other community organisations coming together, so it's really disappointing that this has happened."
Gaping holes can be seen in the roof of the toilets following the fire, and there are concerns the building could be beyond repair.
However, the loos were popular with visitors to the neighbouring play park, which sits on the banks of the River Tweed, and those exploring further afield.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We were alerted at 3.22am on Monday, to reports of a fire within public toilets in Peebles.
"Operations Control mobilised three appliances to the town's Kingsmeadows Road, where crews extinguished the fire.
"Firefighters responded to a building fire on the town's High Street at 4.13am.
"Four appliances attended and crews extinguished the fire.
"Operations Control mobilised two appliances to a fire at Peebles Golf Club at 5.32am, where firefighters extinguished the fire and made the area safe."
Peebles Golf Club reported "limited damage" at the entrance to the gents locker room at its club house, which was forced to close for the day.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 3.40am on Monday, we received a report of a fire at a toilet block on Kingsmeadows Road in Peebles.
“We also received reports of a fire at McFarlane Hall, High Street, and at Peebles Golf Club.
“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service attended and the fires were put out. There were no reported injuries.
“A 17-year-old male youth was arrested and charged in connection and due to appear at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, October 7th, 2025.”
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