Organisers of a project to create a handwritten Bible hope to attract hundreds of scribes when they stop in Dundee as part of a tour around the UK.
On August 1 and 2, writing stations will be set up in City Square, with others in two Dundee housing estates.
Co-ordinator Maureen Clark said, “We are asking people to come and make their mark on history by copying out two verses of the Bible.”
Although there won’t be a keyboard in sight, the People’s Bible project will use state-of-the-art technology.
Maureen said, “People will use a digital pen and their verses will be uploaded immediately so they will appear on a screen outside the tent while they are being written, and they will be able to see the result on their computer when they get home.
“They can also annotate their contribution with a cartoon to personalise it.”
The project was launched at Edinburgh Castle last month by culture secretary Fiona Hyslop, and its last stop will be Westminster Abbey in November.
Prince Charles has written the first two verses from Genesis and contributions have also been made by the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and TV presenters Sally Magnusson and Aled Jones.
Stressing that there is no need for any religious faith or knowledge of the Bible to take part, Maureen said, “Handwriting doesn’t matter and people will be given the verses to copy out.”
The project marks the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible.
Maureen went on, “It is a commemoration but it is also to remind people of the heritage of language as well as the faith heritage of the King James Bible.
“A lot of phrases in common use, such as ‘fall flat on your face’, ‘sour grapes’ and ‘land of the living’ first appeared in English in the King James.”
Anyone who feels the style is too ornate can copy from a more modern version.
Maureen said, “We want people to be able to relate to it.”Find out more at www.thepeoplesbible.org