LISTEN: New Sculpture For John O'Groats

John O'Groats is getting it's very own sculpture. 'Nomadic Boulders' will illustrate the story of large boulders on the seabed of the Pentland Firth moving in the tide.

Award-winning Scottish artists Dalziel and Scullion have been commissioned to create the new permanent artwork.

Supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Creative Scotland, the artwork will be a focal point for locals and visitors in the heart of the small Highland coastal village.

Dundee-basedMatthew Dalziel and Louise Scullion are Scottish based artists who have worked in collaboration since 1993. The duo has established an international reputation as environmental artists, with their work on such projects as the Scottish Natural Heritage’s headquarters, Great Glen House in Inverness; Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum Glasgow; and the Science Museum in London.

The artists will work in conjunction with Edinburgh based engineers Blyth & Blyth and the internationally renowned Black Isle Bronze foundry, based in Nairn near Inverness, to develop their unique concept, ‘Nomadic Boulders’.

Louise Scullion said: "We are really excited by this project, there are so many interesting stories surrounding John O’ Groats, concerning its unusual biodiversity, its local customs and remarkable geology, often these get overlooked by visitors to the area, but when we heard about the rolling boulders of the Pentland Firth, we thought them a unique emblem of just how powerful this mighty body of water is - one of the fastest currents in the world - whose strength is hard to imagine from the safety of the shore. We very much look forward to realising this project with the skilful and experienced team who have committed to it.”

Keith Muir's from Highlands and Islands Enterprise - who commissioned the project:

A public meeting will be held in the John O’ Groats Village Hall on the 13 March at 7:00pm when the artists will introduce and illustrate their idea. The project design team will work with local people, stakeholders and landowners until a final unveiling event at the end of Autumn 2015.

The permanent artwork project for John O’ Groats is part funded by HIE and Creative Scotland up to a maximum of £162,000. The budget for this aspect of the project is £118,000. Dalziel and Scullion were chosen after a two-stage procurement process through Public Contracts Scotland.