Perthshire’s soft fruit heritage is being celebrated with a new work of art.
A three-metre tall steel arch decorated with strawberry designs has been installed at Kettins primary school.
It will form the entrance to the school’s garden plot, which will also be home to “three craws”, also made of steel, perched atop garden tools.
Both pieces were created for the community by Adam Booth of Pipers Forge in Dumfries and Galloway.
He battled freezing temperatures and snow to tow the sculptures to Perth and Kinross on Friday night.
The works were unveiled in a ceremony on Saturday, which also saw pupils plant six heritage apple trees as part of a new orchard adjacent to the food growing plot.
Other parts of the project have already been completed, including play equipment, picnic tables, wild flower planting and the purchase of nature study and gardening materials, including microscopes and a nest cam.
Within the next week, timber painted panels with the pupil’s wildlife pictures will also be installed in the woodland, orchard and plot. The children will be painting the boards themselves.
Joanna Robertson, head teacher at Kettins, said “Our wonderful little school only has a tarmac playground, so to have this additional area where children can get close to nature and learn about growing food is really special.
“The sculptures and timber animals will add loads of character and really brighten up the area”.
She added that the school’s 37 pupils had all been involved in designing the archway.
“It’s been something we’ve been working towards for a long time,” she said.
“Adam came to the school and a workshop with the children. They made 3D models with play dough, which were photographed and Adam incorporated them into his design.”
The project has been made possible through a £12,000 grant from the Tesco Bags of Help scheme.
