PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED FOR THE GROUSE ART INSTALLATION ON ROUNDABOUT

As a lasting legacy to mark Perth’s 800th anniversary, an iconic sculpture depicting a grouse taking flight, is soon to appear above the trees on Broxden roundabout on the outskirts of the city, after the project gained planning permission from Perth & Kinross Council.

The sculpture of the grouse has been chosen as a symbol of Perthshire and will be gifted to the people of Perth by the project funders, The Edrington Group.

Work has now begun in earnest on the sculpture which is being created by Ruaraig Maciver of Beltane Studios, who is most famous for the statue of Jean Armour at Mauchline.  The 6.25m high structure is being made from an open framework of galvanised steel and will be mounted on an eight metre high plinth sitting above the trees at one of the main entry points into Perth.

The dramatic artwork will be located on the Broxden roundabout as a gateway feature for the city.  The planning application was made following close consultation with Transport Scotland, the government agency responsible for the Scottish trunk road network, to ensure that the project was appropriate for the intended location and met all the necessary structural and safety requirements. The roundabout is a busy junction which brings together the A9 from Glasgow/Inverness and the M90 from Edinburgh.

John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth and local MSP for North Tayside, said:

“I am delighted that planning permission has been granted for this striking sculpture at the gateway to Perth, providing a lasting legacy of the Perth 800 celebration with the symbol of Perthshire. The Scottish Government wholeheartedly supports Perth in its aim to restore its city status and is pleased that our transport agency, Transport Scotland, is playing an active part in supporting the Perth 800 anniversary, celebrating the work of the Royal Burgh.”

Perth & Kinross Provost, Dr John Hulbert, said: “Perth 800 has been a huge success and this gift from The Edrington Group to the city is a fantastic legacy to end our year long celebrations.  “I am sure this statue will become a key landmark for Perth and one which the residents of Perthshire will be very proud of. Perth has a great history and connection with the grouse – especially given its great importance to the local economy, so we felt this was a very fitting choice. We hope this sculpture will become our version of the ‘Angel of the North’.”

Gerry O’Donnell, director of The Famous Grouse at The Edrington Group, said: “We are delighted to make this gift to Perth to mark the finale of Perth 800. We hope that it will provide a spectacular landmark that symbolises Perth’s wonderful location as the gateway to the highlands.” 

NOTES

• ‘Perth 800 is a year long celebration in 2010 which marks the 800th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Burgh Charter to Perth by King William the Lion in 1210.’
• The structure is being created by Ruaraig Maciver from Beltane Studios, Peebles. Beltane Studios is one of the few remaining foundries which specialise in traditional bronze casting. As well as creating their own bronze sculptures including the Jean Armour Memorial, they have also worked closely with renowned sculptor Andy Scott on the Ibrox Disaster Memorial statue of John Greig, the Jim Baxter Memorial and the globe for the Thanksgiving Beacon in Belfast.
• This is a gift from The Edrington Group to the people of Perth therefore they are covering all costs – both the structure and any associated costs regarding installation and maintenance.
• The Edrington Group, is a private Scottish company controlled by The Robertson Trust. The Edrington Group owns some of the worlds leading whisky brands, The Famous Grouse, The Macallan, Highland Park and Cutty Sark along with Brugal, one of the largest international rum brands.