EWAN BRAND SHOCKS KINROSS AT POWMILL QUARRY WITH NAKED FLASHING INCIDENT

In December 2009, a distressing incident unfolded at Powmill's Devonshaw Quarry, located near Kinross, involving a man named Ewan Brand. The event left two schoolgirls deeply shaken and prompted legal action that would see Brand placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

On a seemingly ordinary afternoon, two girls, both in their Sixth Year at school, decided to visit the local quarry at around 2 pm. One of the girls was preparing to pursue a university course in photography, which required her to compile a portfolio of images. The girls had chosen the quarry, a well-known local spot, for their outing.

While walking along a path known locally as the Standing Stones, the girls encountered Ewan Brand, a 49-year-old man residing at Barnhill Farm in Kinross. Brand approached them and requested that they take a photograph of him. When the girls refused, he became increasingly aggressive. Despite their initial refusal, they eventually agreed to take one picture, but Brand then demanded a more explicit photograph of himself, asking to be photographed naked. The girls, feeling uncomfortable and alarmed, declined and attempted to walk away.

However, Brand did not desist. He followed the girls, unfastened his belt, and shouted, “How about this then?” In a shocking display, he lowered his trousers to his knees and exposed himself to the girls. Frightened, the girls turned and ran away from him. During their hurried escape, one of the girls lost her shoe, and Brand caught up with them.

Brand's aggressive behavior escalated as he tried to seize the mobile phone of the girl who had called for help. He also attempted to snatch the camera from the girls. As they fled, Brand shouted, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you,” before turning back and walking into the quarry.

Later, the film developed from the camera was examined, revealing images of Brand, who had been seen in the area earlier that day. Authorities traced him and brought him in for questioning. During police interviews, Brand described his actions as “stupidity. Total stupidity,” expressing remorse for his behavior.

At Perth Sheriff Court, the court heard the full details of the incident. The judge, Sheriff Lindsay Foulis, sentenced Brand to be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for three years and imposed a three-year probation order. As part of his rehabilitation, Brand was ordered to participate in the Tay Project, a program aimed at rehabilitating sex offenders. Additionally, he was ordered to pay £250 in compensation to each of the two girls, who were visibly distressed by the ordeal.

During the hearing, the sheriff emphasized the impact of Brand’s actions, stating, “They were extremely distressed as a result of your behaviour.” The court also heard that one of the girls was “screaming hysterically” and called her friend’s brother for help. Solicitor Rosie Scott, representing Brand, expressed that her client now “very much regretted” his actions and clarified that he had no intention to harm the girls. She explained that Brand’s pursuit of the phone was driven by a realization that he had done something wrong.

In conclusion, Brand admitted to breaching the peace and causing the girls to feel fear and alarm. The case served as a stark reminder of the serious consequences of such reckless and disturbing behavior in a quiet community like Kinross.