THIEVES made off with about 40 ice creams after breaking into the new playpark shed at historic Newhailes House and Gardens in Musselburgh on Monday morning.
A spokesperson for the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), which runs the visitor attraction, described the incident as “very sad and frustrating”.
They said: “The people responsible stole multiple ice creams stocked ready for the October half-term and left many more strewn across the playpark, and caused damage to the shed as well.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We have received a report of a break-in and theft from Newhailes Estate, Musselburgh, which was reported to police on Monday, October 18.
“Damage has also been reported to have been caused to some parts of the premises. Enquiries are at an early stage and ongoing.”
In 1709, the estate was purchased by Sir David, 1st Baronet of Hailes, who served as Scotland’s Solicitor General and Lord Advocate.
In the decades that followed, Newhailes came to be seen as one of Scotland’s most beautiful Palladian-style country houses, set among extensive, landscaped grounds.
The NTS launched a £2.4 million Newhailes revival project in 2017/18 to breathe new life into the house and its general landscape.
This involved restoration of parts of the estate, including developing the walled garden into a community garden, and the creation of Weehailes playpark.
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