Cycling star Danny MacAskill has signed a specially-designed Oor Wullie statue which will be on display this weekend at the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Fort William.
VisitScotland’s Oor Nevis sculpture is painted with the beautiful landscape view from the top of Ben Nevis, and will be part of the nationwide Oor Wullie’s BIG Bucket Trail this summer.
The statue has already visited the summit of Scotland’s highest mountain and will sit at the entrance of the Sports Village throughout this weekend’s event.
Danny said: “This sculpture is a fantastic piece of work from Douglas Roulston that captures the stunning scenery we are so fortunate to have in Scotland.
“I was delighted to sign it and I hope this helps raise money for Scotland’s national children’s hospital charities.”
Designer Douglas added: “As a keen mountain biker and a big Danny MacAskill fan I’m delighted that the sculpture I’ve painted will be present at this top event and signed by the man himself!
“I chose Ben Nevis for my scene as it captures the true essence of Scotland’s landscape – rugged, remote and colourful, so it made perfect sense to take it to this gravity defying event in the heart of Scotland’s West Highlands.”
Around 20,000 spectators are expected to descend on Fort William this weekend for the 18th annual Mountain Bike World Cup.
Chris Taylor, VisitScotland Regional Leadership Director, said: “It’s great that our Oor Nevis sculpture will be part of this year’s UCI Mountain Bike World Cup at Fort William and fantastic that a high profile sportsperson like Danny MacAskill – who has done so much to promote Scotland around the world through his epic films – was able to sign it.
“With our long association with the event through our EventScotland team, I’m delighted all the visitors from across the world attending this weekend will be welcomed by the rugged beauty of Ben Nevis, painted onto this iconic structure.”
Danny is among a number of big name stars who’ve lent their support to the Trail, with the likes of Rita Ora, Olly Murs and Lewis Capaldi also signing and posing alongside sculptures.
In the next month, the sculptures will start being installed on the streets of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Perth and Stirling to create a nationwide trail of life-sized Oor Wullies.
The initiative is supporting children’s hospital charities across the country and celebrating Scotland’s favourite and forever young son, Oor Wullie.
From June to September, the Trail is expected to attract over one million members of the public who will be encouraged to explore the country with free maps and a downloadable app, in order to spot all sculptures within their city and all five cities.
A further 350 mini sculptures decorated by local schools, youth and community groups will accompany the large trail, forming a mini trail, taking situ in local libraries, art galleries, shopping centres and public spaces where families can take part in fun activities.
The statues will be auctioned in the autumn to raise funds for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity and The ARCHIE Foundation.
For more information about the Oor Wullie’s BIG Bucket Trail, go to www.oorwullie.com
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