A giant snakehead will be unveiled next to Stockingfield Bridge this week.

As the Glasgow Times reported previously, a large art installation depicting a Beithir, a mythical serpent from Scottish folklore, has been in the works at the North Glasgow site.

Spanning 121 metres, the statue is the largest of 22 artworks commissioned by Scottish Canals for the parkland surrounding the new bridge.

The head, which stretches three metres wide, two metres high, and four metres long, has been covered in ferro cement and given a complete mosaic finish.

Up until now, it has been completely covered up and the final look will be revealed on Friday, March 1, between 5.30pm and 7pm.

The Glasgow Times was allowed to peek under the scaffolding in September before the process was finished.

Glasgow Times: The statue before being covered in mosaicThe statue before being covered in mosaic (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

Glasgow Times: Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren, Nichol Wheatley, ceramic artist Ruth Impey, and John Paterson, Scottish Canals chief executiveLord Provost Jacqueline McLaren, Nichol Wheatley, ceramic artist Ruth Impey, and John Paterson, Scottish Canals chief executive (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

Glasgow Times:

Glasgow Times:

READ NEXT: First look at head of Glasgow's new giant snake statue

Construction will continue on the rest of the animal's body for up to five years as local people will create its scales.

Artist Nichol Wheatley, who created the structure, said: “The purpose of this artwork is to build relationships and make connections, initially, within the three communities, Ruchill, Maryhill and Gilshochill, which are now physically re-joined by the new bridge.

"This creative making will provide a vehicle for social action and positive change within North Glasgow.”

The Beithir has affectionately been named `Bella’, as a nod to Nichol's hero and mentor, the late Alasdair Gray, who he worked with for 15 years on various visual works and public projects.

Bella Baxter is the main character in Gray’s novel Poor Things which has recently been adapted and released for film.

The artist added: "I’m honoured to have received Scottish Canals second monumental art commission.

"The majority of this artwork comes and will come from reclaimed materials and will involve up to 30,000 folk in the making of it.

"The Beithir is a testament to what happens when art and communities come together to deliver a shared vision.”