First minister Nicola Sturgeon waved farewell to a familiar figure yesterday as she officially launched the farewell weekend for Oor Wullie’s Big Bucket Trail.
Events taking place in Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh will celebrate the success of Scotland’s first ever national public art trail.
Oor Wullie popped up all over the country throughout the summer to raise awareness and vital funds for Scotland’s children’s hospital charities.
All of the Oor Wullie statues from around Aberdeen have been gathered together and put on display in the grounds of Marischal College, while their Inverness counterparts can be seen at the Eastgate Shopping Centre for just two more days.
The weekend of celebrations will give a fitting send-off to the Scottish legend, with the colourful sculptures then going under the hammer next week in a series of auctions.
Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity and The Archie Foundation will all benefit from the funds raised.
Visiting the SEC in Glasgow yesterday, the First Minister said: “Oor Wullie’s Big Bucket Trail has been a huge success.
“The colourful statues of one of Scotland’s cultural icons have become a familiar sight across the country this summer and I am sure I will not be the only person to miss seeing them on our streets.
“It was a pleasure to help celebrate the finale of Scotland’s first ever national public art trail and I hope the farewell events help to raise even more money for children’s hospital charities across the country.”
David Wood, Archie Foundation chief executive, said: “It has been so much fun having these colourful, inspiring and individual sculptures on the streets of Aberdeen and Inverness.
“The trail has brought friends, families, businesses, schools and communities together for a summer we won’t forget.
“We look forward to seeing everyone enjoying the sculptures one more time before the auctions next week.”
The Inverness and Aberdeen Wullies will be auctioned at the Thainstone Centre, Inverurie on Tuesday.
Separate auctions will take place in Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen.
Celebrity status
Oor Wullie has been spotted hanging out with a number of celebrities across the country including Lewis Capaldi, Doddie Weir and Rita Ora.
