SCULPTURES COMMISSIONED TO reflect the rich history of Elgin are to be unveiled to the public for the first time this weekend.
The three works of art will be unveiled as part of a number of activities being held in the town centre on Saturday – a day when thousands will flock to Elgin in search of the perfect Christmas present.
A Town Crier and drummer boy will lead the way to each of the three life-size sculptures that will be unveiled as part of the Castle to Cathedral to Cashmere project. The first to be revealed – ‘The Wolf’ by David Annand – will be on show at 1.30pm at the west end of Elgin High Street.
The second – ‘Dandy Lion’ by Vik Quickly, will be unveiled at 1.55pm on the west side of the Plainstones by pupils from Elgin Academy and Elgin High School, while the third, ‘Elgin’s Town Drummer’ by Alan B Herriot, will be revealed at 2.15pm opposite Walkers by 95-year-old war veteran Flora Christie.
Jim Royan, Chair of the Castle to Cathedral to Cashmere Partnership Management Group who commissioned the works, said, “This has truly been a great journey, from its inception to what has been achieved in a relatively short time, we have been able to bring a great deal of our rich heritage together, bringing it alive in an exciting and unique way.”
The unveiling is only one part of a number of activities on Saturday including a Farmers’ Market running from 10am until 5.30pm. Lantern of the North will feature a varied programme of music performed by musicians and bands and for those feeling creative St Giles Shopping Centre is hosting session where people can create their own Christmas toys from 11am until 4pm.
From 12noon, in a separate initiative, the Elgin Ice Festival Winter 2016 will launch its outdoor ice rink on the Plainstones which will run throughout the Christmas period.
As darkness falls, from 4.30pm a spectacular animated light projection based on people and events spanning over 1000 years of Elgin’s history to the present day will be beamed onto the West face of St Giles Church. The light projections will continue each evening throughout the dark winter months.