A MOTHER in the Highlands who claims her daughter was terrorised by racist playground thugs, is suing her local council for #20,000.
Ms Linda Jarvie's 10-year-old mixed-race daughter, Katie, was allegedly subjected to an 18-month torrent of racist taunts and insults until she became withdrawn and too frightened to go out to the playground at Tarradale Primary School, in Muir of Ord, Ross-shire.
The case follows that of Guyana-born Michael Jagroop and his Scottish wife Harriet, who last week claimed they had been forced out of the Moray Firth village of Portknockie by a sustained campaign of racism.
Ms Jarvie, 29, said yesterday : ''This sort of behavior is more common in the Highlands than people realise.
''It is not just directed at people because of their colour, but also at travelling people, and English residents.
''Attitudes which were made taboo years ago in other areas still exist here. It is too late to prevent the abuse which Katie has suffered, but hopefully my actions will help others to avoid the same distress.''
The abuse began two weeks after Ms Jarvie moved back to her home village from the Midlands in 1994, and placed Katie, then aged eight, in Tarradale School.
Ms Jarvie said her daughter became so upset that she would pretend to be ill to avoid going to school or going out with the other children at breaktimes. She put talcum powder on her face to lighten her skin tone, and said ''I wish I was white'', and ''I wish I was dead''.
The abuse allegedly continued until April last year, when her daughter was transferred to another school in the neighbouring village of Beauly.
A writ, served at Dingwall Sheriff Court, accuses Highland Council of failing to implement the Race Relations Act.
Ms Jarvie said: ''It is very unfortunate that I have had to go this far to have my concerns taken seriously. This matter could have been dealt with less painfully if action had been taken by the teachers, earlier.
''Katie has been devastated by the treatment she endured at school. She used to be such a lively, active girl, but now she is nervous about going out and thinks that she is fat and ugly.
''The damage that has been done to her will stay with her for the rest of her life, so the #20,000 we are asking for is nothing compared to what she has had to pay.''
The legal action on behalf of Ms Jarvie, who is also seeking the funding to set up an advice line for other victims of racial abuse in the North of Scotland, is being supported by the Racial Equalities Commission.
A spokesman for Highland Council said: ''We are aware of the writ which has been served by Ms Jarvie, and will be lodging a defence in due course.''
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