THE culprit could be a big football fan with a cold neck, or perhaps just a brass one.
But the theft of a 14ft scarf has needled its creators and deprived a charity project of a fundraising opportunity.
The giant scarf in the red and white colours of Aberdeen FC was created by five women aged 65 to 85 from a sheltered housing comp
lex, who spent over 50 hours knitting the neckwear.
It was made as part of the Stitches on the Bridge project where a collection of colourful knitted and crocheted items from around the world were attached to the Skye Bridge for the Homecoming Scotland programme.
The Aberdeen scarf was taken sometime between 11pm on Sunday and 11am on Monday when the display was to be removed and sold for charity.
Vera Rigby, 65, who helped knit the scarf at Lochview sheltered housing complex in Aberdeen, was left shocked when she heard it had vanished.
She said: "I am devastated that somebody's pinched it. Who in their right mind would pinch an Aberdeen scarf?"
Mrs Rigby appealed for the thieves to return the scarf: "It took us nearly six weeks to knit it by the time we sewed it and put on the letters – for someone to pinch it, I just can't get over it.
"I think it must be an Aberdeen fan in the West Highlands, I can't see someone taking it just for the sake of it.
"If they wanted it so badly they should have put in a bid in for it like everyone else. If they've got any conscience they will return it. They should put it back on the bridge where they found it."
Mrs Rigby and four friends began their marathon knit in June after Aberdeen City Council community arts officer Margaret Stewart suggested they take on the challenge.
Ms Stewart said: "I saw an article about a group looking to cover the Skye Bridge in knitting as part of Homecoming Scotland.
"We thought we would knit a big piece that would stand out. We thought we would do a big red and white scarf that says 'Aberdeen' on it.
"Once it came off the bridge it was to be auctioned for groups in Skye. It's a shame because we won't be able raise money for charities. I was shocked that somebody would want to steal it."
Alison Orr, an organiser of the Stitches on the Bridge project, said the thieves had slashed cable ties. She said: "I went for a walk along the bridge and noticed there was a gap. We could see there were traces of red and white yarn left.
"Everything was attached to the bridge with cable ties. The cable ties had been cut."
Northern Constabulary are appealing for anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity on the Skye Bridge to come forward.
