Published Date: Sep 1st, 2023
An exciting public art sculpture trail which brings several of Fife’s coastal communities together to help celebrate the region through creativity has been launched today.
‘Scotties by the Sea’ has seen 30 giant Scottie sculptures - all uniquely decorated by artists - appear in streets, parks and open spaces, encouraging people young and old to rediscover their coastline, learn more about the artwork and spend time together.
The Scotties will be exhibited for 10 weeks, forming a fun, free, family friendly art trail which residents and visitors alike can follow.
And, after the 10-week trail is completed, the sculptures will be auctioned off to raise vital funds for Maggie’s Cancer Care.
BID St Andrews has teamed up with event experts Wild in Art to create the trail, and Scotties have now sprung up across St Andrews and coastal communities from Newport and Tayport in the north as far as Leven and Lower Largo to the south.
Louise A Fraser, Chair, BID St Andrews, said: “We are so excited to be working with Wild in Art to bring this trail to St Andrews and the wider Northeast Fife Coastal Communities.
“The trail will bring tourism and economic benefits to the region, put smiles on people’s faces, promote wellbeing and exploration and raise vital funds for Maggie’s Cancer Care.
“This is the largest event we have ever held. We hope that the businesses and local community will join us in the delivery of what I’m sure will be a spectacular event, and that they enjoy seeing these incredible Scottie sculptures unleashed on our wonderful coastline.”
Fife Council is supporting the initiative, and Welcome to Fife is also the Official App Partner for the Scotties by The Sea trail.
As the Official App Partner, Welcome to Fife will use its tourism expertise to help increase awareness of the local region through the Official Trail App, which will enable more people to participate and engage with the trail, increase footfall in the area and support the North East Fife coastal economy, whilst at the same time helping to raise much needed funds for Maggie’s Cancer Charity, supporting those affected by cancer navigate their journey.
Councillor Altany Craik, Fife Council spokesperson for tourism, said: “Tourism is a priority sector for the Fife economy, and sculpture trails are an ideal way of encouraging more visitors to the area, and for them to visit places they wouldn’t have necessarily thought about.
“I’m delighted that Fife Council is supporting BID St Andrews’ trail, Scotties by the Sea, which will enable visitors to explore not just St Andrews, but a wide section of the surrounding coastline.
“I’ve been looking forward to the trail going live: everyone can get out and see the Scotties in all their glory, and collect them all using the dedicated app.”
More details on the project and information about where you can find the trail app is available at Scotties by the Sea 2023 - BID St Andrews & Wild in Art.