The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Oor Wullies back home as vandalism slammed
Well-travelled Oor Wullies have returned en masse to Dundee.
The touring sculptures, including Wullie Wallace, inspired by the legendary Scot, William Wallace, Sudger Wullie, an army inspired Wullie, and a very special Tunnocks Tea-Cake Oor Wullie, have been visiting cities throughout the summer.
Thousands of people were fortunate to catch a glimpse of the sculptures in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Perth, Inverness and St Andrews during the national tour.
At the end of the trail, on September 13, all the sculptures will be sold at a special auction in Dundee, where businesses, individuals and enthusiastic Oor Wullie fans can bid for the chance to call their favourite sculpture their own.
All proceeds from the auction will go to The ARCHIE Foundation’s appeal to raise funds to create a brand new twin operating theatre paediatric surgical suite for the Tayside Children’s Hospital at Ninewells.
Meanwhile, a Dundee councillor has slammed vandals who left a statue lying damaged in the middle of a road.
Councillor Ian Borthwick said he was horrified to learn another Bucket Trail Wullie had suffered damage.
The Courier revealed that vandals had removed “Dreamland Wullie” from his base in Barnhill Rock Garden and abandoned it on the ground.
Police were then called and collected the statue before safely storing it at Longhaugh police station.
News of the incident was met with an angry reaction across Dundee.
Mr Borthwick said: “It’s a deeply sad affair when people are destroying attempts to brighten up the city and bring a bit of pleasure to young people.”
Bucket Trail manager Neil Cooney has already promised the figure will be fixed and restored to full health.
He added: “We’ve had a few problems here in Barnhill. I think because it’s a big open space with no CCTV.
“It’s a shame because there’s no need for it to happen.”