Famous Grouse Sculpture

No grousing about famous whisky statue

IT has been one of Scotland's most iconic and best loved brand images for more than a century.

Now the "Famous Grouse" which has graced every label of the eponymous whisky since 1896 is set to be transformed into a massive steel sculpture at the gateway to the Highlands as Perthshire's answer to the Angel of the North.

The Edrington Group, the drinks giant that now owns the whisky first created by Perthshire grocer and wine merchant Matthew Gloag, has announced plans to build a 20ft statue of the bird in flight. The work will be its contribution to this year's celebrations to mark the 800th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Burgh Charter to Perth by King William the Lion of Scotland in 1210.

The company is planning to erect the giant statue in a commanding position in woodland overlooking one of Scotland's busiest road junctions, the Broxden roundabout where the M90 Edinburgh to Perth motorway and the A9 Perth to Inverness road meet.

A maquette - a preliminary model of the sculpture - has already been made by leading sculptor Ruaraig Mciver from Beltane Studios in Peebles in the Borders. And the Edrington Group has submitted a planning application with Perth and Kinross Council, seeking permission to build the statue as its "lasting legacy" to the Perth 800 celebrations. The red grouse - Lagopus lagopus scoticus - has featured on every label of a bottle of The Famous Grouse since the bird was first drawn in 1896 by Philippa Gloag, the daughter of William Gloag, a nephew of the whisky's founder.

A spokeswoman for Famous Grouse said: "The Edrington Group has been working with local organisations on a range of activities to support the celebrations being staged this year as Perth marks 800 years since it was made a Royal Burgh.

"As a lasting legacy for this city wide initiative, the Edrington Group, is commissioning a special art installation depicting a grouse, a symbol of Perthshire as a gateway feature, which will be gifted to the people of Perth."

She added: "The sculpture will take the form of a red grouse in flight to depict the importance of the game bird to the county's economy.

"This is a gift from the Edrington Group to the people of Perth. Therefore they are covering all costs - both the structure and any associated costs regarding installation and maintenance."

This year The Famous Grouse, which can trace its humble beginnings back to Atholl Street in Perth, is celebrating 30 years as Scotland's best selling whisky.

Gerry O'Donnell, director of The Famous Grouse, said: "The Famous Grouse was first produced by Matthew Gloag in Perth more than 100 years ago

We are extremely proud of the brand's strong Perth roots and as a local business, felt it was only fitting that we join in Perth 800 and support this year of celebration."

Paul Shields, the president of Perthshire Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the initiative. He said: "Perth is most definitely synonymous with The Famous Grouse. But these pieces of art may not be to everybody's taste. They are not everybody's cup of tea.

"As to whether or not the people of Perth and the businesses of Perth will think this is a good thing, I couldn't speak on behalf of them at this point in time. But it is certainly something that would draw attention and interest - there is no doubt about that. And, if it was done tastefully, how could people be offended by it?"

Subject to planning approval, the company is hoping to have the sculpture erected at the Broxden roundabout site by 26 November to coincide with the Light Night cultural festival.