Maggies Centre: Giant Scottie dogs to be unleashed across the east coast

A series of giant Scottie Dog sculptures will be popping up in St Andrews and the East Neuk of Fife.

It’s part of a charity effort to raise money for the Maggie’s Centre to support people living with cancer.

Local artists have decorated 30 giant dogs to make up the colourful Scotties by the Sea walking trail, which is to launch in September.

Annie Long from the Maggie’s centre said: “Maggie’s centre in Dundee costs around £600,000 a year to run and we see about 15,000 visits a year from people with cancer and their friends and family.

“It will allow us to continue to do that and do the best job possible with the emotional care of people with cancer.”

The artists took inspiration from the coastal landscape as well as some iconic pop culture moments from the past.

It is not the first time sculptures have taken over Tayside and Fife, with Oor Wullie and Penguins making up trails in the past.

And, after a challenging three years, businesses are hoping the trail will help bring visitors to Fife

Jane Kennedy, BID St Andrews added: “The project is a long time delivered and we came up with it pre Covid and really it was to give a boost to the businesses.

“BID St Andrews represent the businesses in town, trying to get footfall increased particularly in the down season, if you could think that St Andrews has a down season.

“When we came back from Covid, we decided that we would make it bigger and we encompassed the north east coastal villages as well.

“We’re wanting people to come and enjoy a free event for the family and see the businesses in town that we’ve got here.”

The trail will officially commence on September 1 and run until November 12, giving locals and visitors alike the opportunity to explore the trail.