Fife sculpture plan not so outlandish

The idea of 1,000-foot pier and 100-foot jumping whale sculptures at Leven’s seafront may seem outlandish but that is no reason to dismiss it out of hand.

Such tourist-friendly public art is big business in Scotland and there is nothing wrong with Fife having large-scale dreams – and they do not come much bigger than this.

The most obvious comparison is the Kelpies, Andy Scott’s towering landmarks in Falkirk’s Helix park, which have transformed that town.

The innovative use of former industrial land has created a destination which has sparked a tourism boom and brought the town global recognition.

Those behind it must be praised for their vision, yet it attracted its doubters when first mooted.

A similar tale can be told of Dundee where, already, the waterfront without the V&A seems unimaginable.

Will the same be said of Largo Bay in decades to come if such an ambitious vision is realised there?

What starts as an artist’s impression and an appeal for openmindedness can burgeon into a vision which changes the perceptions and very future of a community.

There are obvious barriers, not least the £55 million project price, but Graham Ritchie, the councillor behind the scheme, states no-one has – so far – suggested a better idea for the area.

For that reason alone, it is worth exploring.