Giant Scottie dogs have landed on the streets of Glasgow as part of a city-wide art trail.
The Scotties in the City trail is lighting up Glasgow and beyond with 40 large sculptures in support of national cancer charity Maggie’s.
Launched today by Glasgow Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren and broadcaster Kirsty Wark, the trail adds a touch of colour to the city’s streets.
Jacqueline McLaren said: "It is a pleasure to welcome the Scotties in the City trail to Glasgow, a fantastic new addition that will bring colour, creativity and a sense of fun to our streets this summer.
"This is a brilliant way for residents and visitors alike to explore the city in a different way, while enjoying the unique character and charm that Glasgow is known for.
"As people make their way along the trail, I would encourage them to support Maggie’s with a donation, if they can, or consider owning one of the Scotties.
"The charity does truly remarkable work, supporting people to live with cancer in our communities."
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The sculptures, each weighing 50kg, have been individually designed by artists and placed at locations including the Riverside Museum, Science Centre, Kibble Palace, Milngavie, Giffnock and Paisley Abbey.
In addition to the 40 large Scotties, 52 smaller versions created by schools, nurseries and community groups can be viewed in Glasgow libraries and Buchanan Galleries.
Kirsty Wark, honorary patron of Maggie’s and instrumental in bringing the charity to Glasgow, expressed her pride in being part of the launch event.
She said: "I am delighted to be here today to help launch the Scotties in the City art trail in support of Maggie’s.
"It’s a wonderful heartwarming event to have here in Glasgow and an amazing way to help us mark 30 years of Maggie’s transformative cancer care across the UK.
"Of course, Maggie’s is a charity and relies almost entirely on voluntary funding, so I hope these incredible statues will do also well at auction when the time comes and raise vital funds to help Maggie’s reach as many people as possible facing a cancer diagnosis in Glasgow and the rest of Scotland."
Hayley Smith, project manager for Scotties in the City at Maggie’s, also expressed gratitude to everyone involved.
She said: "Today marks the launch of our Scotties in the City art trail in partnership with Wild in Art, which sees Glasgow transformed by 40 Scottie giant dogs.
"Each has been beautifully designed and painted by talented artists.
"We’ve had many sponsors on board which have supported us to make this happen.
"I would like to thank each and every one of our sponsors for all of their fantastic support.
"I would also like to thank all of the brilliant artists who came onboard for their hard work and beautifully designed dogs.
"Most importantly we are hoping that people will enjoy the trail and feel uplifted enough to make a small donation to Maggie’s cancer charity to help us support as many people and their families living with cancer in Scotland.
"We know people have travelled from far and wide to be one of the first to view the trail including ladies from North Berwick and Dundee today.
"One couple, Mike and Bettina, real Scottie enthusiasts, even travelled all the way from Switzerland with their own real dogs to see the Scotties.
"It’s been fantastic to see the real Scottie dog community get behind us too and one lady, Jane McNiven, a Scottie dog breeder from Alexandria, who has actually been supported by Maggie’s for breast cancer herself, has been promoting our art trail and awareness of Maggie’s cancer at Crufts and many other dog shows this year.
"Alongside the trail, we have also run an educational programme over the last nine months, which saw many schools and nurseries and community groups play their part in designing 52 smaller Scottie sculptures."
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There will also be a Farewell Weekend held at the Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust in Bridgeton on August 29 and 30, offering a final chance to see all the sculptures together.
The trail will conclude in September with an auction of the giant Scottie dogs to raise funds for Maggie’s centres across Scotland.
Charlie Langhorne, managing director and co-founder of Wild in Art, said: "We are thrilled to be working with our friends and partners at Maggie’s on our first standalone trail in Glasgow.
"Importantly, this initiative will also raise awareness and vital funds to support the invaluable work that Maggie's does to help people with cancer and their families."
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