Help create Crieff’s leafy coos to mark town’s drover origins

Crieff in Leaf is embarking on a major new project to celebrate the Strath capital’s heritage as a Drovers’ town, the home of Scotland’s oldest malt whisky distillery and the weaving industry.

The local bloom organisation is aiming to acquire a family of three “magnificent metal sculptures” of Highland cattle to stand in the garden at Burrell Square.

A spokesperson told the Herald: “These beautiful sculptures are made by ArtFe, artisan smithies from Ratho, and will be made up of leaves (Crieff means tree) and will also embrace a sheaf of barley to represent the distillery and the thistle to complete the Scottish theme.”

Crieff in Leaf has begun fundraising for the project and people will be able to buy individual leaves, which will be formed into the iconic creatures.

The spokesperson added: “We are appealing to the whole community - businesses, residents and visitors alike - to help us raise the £ 30,000 needed to complete the project so we are launching this fundraising at the Drovers Tryst market with the sale of sponsored leaves which will make up the sculptures.

“We are hoping to have a similar ‘coo’ at the market on Saturday, October 7, in James Square and also at the Hairy Coo bike race at Comrie Croft on Sunday, October 8, so please come and see her and buy a leaf for just £5, and have your name saved for posterity on Crieff’s Leafy Coos website.”