Twenty-three colourful squirrels, measuring in at 5 foot in height, are now dotted at various locations across the Highlands as the Highland Hospice officially launched first ever region-wide art trail yesterday.
The specially commissioned sculptures, which have been created by 3D artist Scott Gleed, have each been specially decorated and sponsored by organisations locally and further afield to form the trail.
Each squirrel making up the Go Nuts Art Trail have been placed at various locations across the Highlands, including Tain, Evanton, Beauly, the Black Isle, Portree, Eilean Donan Castle, Castle of Mey, Logie, Nairn, Fort Augustus, Fort William and Boat of Garten, with a further seven taking up residence around the city of Inverness in well-known visitor locations.
Dedicated maps have been produced to allow members of the public to complete the trail, with Highland Hospice encouraging trail followers to share pictures of their adventures whilst capturing a glimpse of the artwork.
Jenna Hayden, Highland Hospice events fundraiser, said: “It’s a great achievement.
“We have tried to keep everything as local as possible and we are very proud of what we have put together. It is just something different.
“I love them and I have become very protective of them.
“I have never experienced the level of art we have received. We got the initial designs on paper but unit we seen the final ones on the canvas – it has far succeeded anything we expected.
“Each one is so different. We have a lovely mix and it is nice to have them in the local communities all across the Highlands.”
The squirrels will remain in their locations until September before they all head to Falcon Square in Inverness for a farewell display.
Afterwards, they will be auctioned off at a charity event hosted by the hospice in November where they will be taken to their forever homes.
Free maps outlining the location of squirrels along the trail are available from all Highland Hospice shops.
