A 200-strong troop of soldiers has staged an invasion of the north – but the operation is on a very small scale.
A tiny terracotta army, created by locals, will be stationed at the An Talla Solais Gallery in Ullapool until the end of this month.
The little warriors are being sold off to raise funds to support local people living with dementia and their carers.
Members of the pocket-sized army are not all fierce fighters, however, as the troop includes a monkey, a ski-ing polar bear and a replica of Amy Winehouse.
Some of the soldiers are wearing kilts, while others are dressed as pirates.
The gallery’s Dolphin Project is a six month pilot scheme run by artists and volunteers to support creative activity for people living with dementia.
The little clay figures were created at community drop-in sessions and at care homes in the area over the past month and the army was inspired by a full-size replica of a Chinese army general at Ullapool High School.
He has been standing guard in the foyer since the pupils visited China last year.
Anne-Marie Quinn, artist co-ordinator for the Dolphin Project, said: “The tiny terracotta army is a beautiful symbol of a community, full of individual characters, all standing together in support of people made vulnerable by dementia. The joy that has gone into creating each of these characters is tangible.”
“The ‘army’ reinforces a message that is more hopeful – that creative activity connects, stimulates and inspires people of all ages. The characters are a rallying call, celebrating a pilot project that seeks to establish an ongoing programme of creative activity for people living with dementia in Ullapool.”
Jane Portal, Keeper of the Asia Department at the British Museum who was responsible for bringing the real terracotta warriors to the UK from China a decade ago, is pleased to see a much smaller version stationed in the Highlands.
She said: “I am delighted to see that the terracotta warriors of the First Emperor of China are enjoying an afterlife in the Scottish Highlands where they are providing an inspiration to many.
“Villagers have created a fantastic mini army of soldiers fighting against dementia. They are truly a global army.”
