Town prepares for Giant Big Man’s visit

RESIDENTS of a Moray town will have an unusual visitor to entertain later this year when a 26ft-tall man strides into town as part of a nationwide arts event.

The towering structure, to be created by The Puppet Lab and Puppet Animation Scotland, will visit Buckie in October.

Yesterday the project’s artistic director, Symon Macintyre, who runs Edinburgh-based Puppet Lab, said the giant was currently under construction in Leith. It is due to be completed by the end of September and the visit to Buckie is scheduled for October.

He explained the structure, known as Giant Big Man, would arrive at the town centre in a structure like a giant seed, and would then “hatch” open before taking a walk around.

The team is hoping to form links with community groups in Buckie to help organise a variety of celebrations and attractions to help welcome the giant into town.

He said: “It’s like a visit from a member of the Royal Family, where a very important person is going to come and visit. You want them to see the best of the community.

“The aim of the project is to inspire people and make them feel good about themselves and be proud of their community.”

The giant, which will also visit the Isle of Bute, Kirkcaldy, Invergordon and Inverclyde, will have a camera installed inside its head to record all of his travels.

More information about the project, which received cash from the Scottish Arts Council Inspire Fund, can be found at www.bigmanwalking.com