The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Note of approval is off the scale for musical statue’s new home
Wildlife workers have given muchloved art installation a new location in Seaton Cliffs nature reserve
A much-loved Arbroath art installation’s merry dance has come to an end at a new location in the Seaton Cliffs nature reserve.
Local and art fans alike were left disappointed when the musical notes sculpture, capturing the popular hymn Lord of the Dance, had to be removed from its clifftop vantage point due to safety concerns.
Workers at the Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve appealed for the mysterious artist, or artists, behind the work to come forward and claim it.
Reserve manager Rab Potter was delighted when they accepted his offer, leading to the reinstallation of the eyecatching work at a safer spot this week.
He said: “This artwork quickly became a local landmark and it is clearly very popular with local people and visitors to the area.
“I’m pleased that we could come to an agreement on a safe location that does not risk the safety of people visiting Seaton Cliffs, or the sensitive habitats being protected in the reserve .”
The new location, on the path between the town and Auchmithie, has been agreed with the artist behind the work, who has chosen to remain anonymous, in addition to Scottish Natural Heritage.
The artwork stunned onlookers when it mysteriously appeared on the reserve in September, with many hiking out to take photographs and share them on social media.
But the sculpture had to be removed after concerns its location, close to the edge of the cliffs, was encouraging people to risk their lives.
Visitors were also unintentionally trampling rare grasses, a protected natural feature within the reserve. The site is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Arbroath SNP councillor Brenda Durno said they were hoping to develop the entire stretch of path leading to Auchmithie.
She said: “It is good the sculpture is in a new location.
“We are hoping to do more work on the path in the new year including at the beach on Carlingheugh Bay.”
People from Arbroath and beyond have welcomed the series of unusual art installations that have appeared across the town over 2019.
Crowds flocked to Keptie Pond to view the mysterious silver surfer nicknamed Keptie Kev before the statue was removed, only to reappear in the town’s Morrison’s supermarket as part of an Armistice Day display.
The notes garnered a similarly positive response when first spotted on the scenic clifftop.
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This artwork quickly became a local landmark and is clearly very popular.
RESERVE MANAGER RAB POTTER