And local householders told of their disgust at witnessing the youngsters vomiting, urinating, running through the gardens and banging on the windows of some of the privately-owned homes in the area.

The disturbances took place outside Balloch Village Hall after a graduation ceremony at Culloden Academy.

Police were called to the area following a series of complaints by locals and two people were arrested.

The event is understood to have been an "after party" organised independently by pupils following the annual school leavers' ceremony at the academy on Friday night.

A number of locals, whose homes back on to the community centre, told the Highland News of the disturbance they endured into the early hours of Saturday morning.

The residents claimed many of the youths at a disco at the community hall, which is situated beside the local primary school, turned into a drunken rabble between 10pm and 3am.

Julie MacKenzie (75), of Cherry Park, Balloch, told the Highland News: "There were young people running through my garden in the early hours, banging my windows – it was quite frightening. And when I looked out and there were people peeing in the gardens.

"I was too scared to go to bed in case something happened like a window was broken or someone tried to get into the house. The language was awful as well."

She added: "I am not a nervy person, although I live alone, but it did frighten me. I don't want to be a party pooper, but this went on until at least 3am.

"My son-in-law was out mowing the lawn on Sunday morning and he found loads of bottles that had been tossed over the fence."

Another resident, who requested the HN withhold her name, hit out at the unruly youngsters who she said were very intoxicated.

She said: "It was outrageous. All these teenagers were blazing drunk and vomiting or urinating in the gardens.

"They were jumping through people's gardens and were totally out of control. So much for stopping underage drinking. I counted about four police vehicles and an ambulance."

Another nearby householder added: "At one point the police were herding the kids out of the area. If they were drunk then why were they not arrested? They were singing Rangers and Celtic songs. It was five hours of hell."

Provost Bob Wynd said he had heard about the problems but played down the incident.

He said: "It was general nuisance and high jinks, with one or two or them getting out of hand. I am sure Steven Dowds (Culloden Academy rector) has been well informed about it and I would expect that he will be doing something about it."

Northern Constabulary's Chief Inspector Julian Innes said: "Police attended following a number of reports of disturbances at Balloch Village Hall which we understand was a disco attended by pupils from Culloden Academy. Two people were arrested following an alleged assault, one a 16-year-old."

A Highland Council spokeswoman confirmed: "There was a graduation ceremony for pupils at the school last Friday."

But she added: "Culloden Academy had no involvement in a booking for a party at Balloch Village Hall on Friday night and your enquiries are matters for the Northern Constabulary."

Academy rector Mr Dowds failed to respond to our requests for comment.

c.hay@highland-news.co.uk

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