A sculpture celebrating a Mearns village’s royal connections has been unveiled.
The colourful crown mosaic has been erected in Inverbervie, which was granted status of a Royal Burgh by King David II in 1342.
The 7ft long sculpture was created by Glasgow-based artist Debbie Ryan, who ran workshop sessions with community groups of all ages to create the art work that was eventually incorporated into the mosaic.
The project was led by volunteer group Brighter Bervie, and was funded by Aberdeenshire Council’s Percent for Art Fund.
Last night Tom Campbell, chairman of the group, said he was delighted at the finished sculpture, which features images depicting the burgh’s marine and land heritage.
He said: “Last year we were involved with the council’s renovation of the seafront area. The council completely refurbished the car park and amenity area and invited us to get involved in planting it up.
“We introduced train planters, which have proved very popular as we can put bedding plants in them and children can sit in the engine and have fun.
“We wanted something to finish off the area, and this sculpture does that – it’s the centrepiece of the renovated sea front area. We’re delighted with it.”
Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire Carol Kinghorn officially unveiled the sculpture yesterday, with pupils from Bervie Primary School also taking part.
Youngsters from the school performed a Scottish country dance created especially for the occasion.
King David II and Queen Johanna were forced by bad weather to land just north of Bervie on their way back to Scotland from exile in France in 1342.
Residents of the fishing village treated their royal guests so well that the king granted it the status of a Royal Burgh later that year.
Mr Campbell said the sculpture was one of three planned for the village.
Bervie Brighter is currently creating a small garden area near the medical centre, and Ms Ryan is creating a coat of arms to be displayed there. She is also making a lighthouse sculpture for the village’s Voyage of Life Garden, which is still a work in progress.
Mr Campbell added: “We’re building up a trail of sculptures that I hope visitors will want to come and enjoy with us.”