Those magnificent men in their flying machines are making an appearance at the city’s shopping centre.
A fascinating automata designed to raise money for local charities has been installed in the Eastgate Centre.
The automata was commissioned and installed by the Rotary Club of Inverness Loch Ness.
A £1 coin donation starts a train with four carriages in an undulating motion, as if flying above the rail track, with each carriage having different travellers heading for Scotland moving in a variety of ways.
Realistic wing movements create the effect of flying. One carriage even contains the Loch Ness Monster, with wagging tail and opening jaws, travelling back to Loch Ness after its holidays.
The backdrop to the train looks remarkably like Loch Ness itself.
This is an artistic masterpiece of automata, created by Keith Newstead, on the lines of the famous mid-20th century Rowland Emmett who is well known for his automata installed in many museums around the world.
Officially launched by the Provost of Inverness Helen Carmichael yesterday, together with the President of the Rotary Club of Inverness Loch Ness, Neil Chisholm, and the manager of the Eastgate Centre, Jackie Cuddy, it is hoped that many local and Highland charities will benefit from the generosity of the Eastgate patrons over the next three years.
The project was initiated and managed by club member and past president, Ken Wilson, who sought help from Keith Newstead Automata, based in Falmouth, Cornwall.
Mr Newstead is one of the leading lights in automata design and construction in the UK and conceived the idea of The Flying Scotsman Automata. He has over many years built automata for many museums, hospitals and art galleries throughout the world.
Any required servicing will be carried out by the local House of Automata, based in Forres.
The Eastgate Centre owners and management have very kindly agreed to host the Automata for up to three years. It is located on the bridge nearest Falcon Square close to the gallery overlooking the food hall.