Arran residents launch search for wooden seal statue washed away during Storm Isha

A search has been launched for a wooden seal statue that been washed away from the Isle of Arran.

Locals in the village of Corrie, where the sculpture called ‘Clyde’ sits on the shoreline, have launched an appeal to find the work of art after it was washed away during Storm Isha.

Strong winds and heavy rain battered parts of Scotland last month and the statue, which sits on top of a boulder close to The Corrie Hotel’s beer garden, was swept away.

Made by Marvin Elliot, a local carver and sculptor, ‘Clyde’ is no stranger to adventure having washed away several times before – even once being found in Troon.

Since being returned, the statue had been in place since 2008 and was fixed into place by a metal rod.

So far, a search along the coast has proved unsuccessful prompting the hotel to appeal for help.

The Corrie Hotel are offering a free night's stay to whoever can find the work of art. Photo: Google Maps. — The Corrie Hotel are offering a free night’s stay to whoever can find the work of art. Photo: Google Maps.

The concerned owners have offered a night’s stay with breakfast to the person who finds ‘Clyde’ and brings him home.

Bosses described the attraction as the “focal point of the village” for a number of years in a post on social media.

A spokesperson for the hotel said: “So many tourists passing through Corrie always stop to take a photograph.

“So lifelike is the carving, we have dubbed him ‘Clyde’ and he is being sorely missed.

“We really hope he can be found somewhere soon and returned to his rightful place.”

A spokesperson for Visit Arran said: “Created by local woodcarver, Marvin Elliot, the Corrie seal is a lovely attraction that locals and visitors fondly refer to all the time.

“We think he was considering training for the lamlash splash, so has maybe just popped off for a wee training swim, and will hopefully be back soon.”