A two-metre bronze panel which tells the history of Arbroath is nearing completion.
The bas-relief is a gift from the Arbroath Guildry Incorporation to the people of Arbroath and will be installed outside Arbroath Abbey.
The unveiling is set to take place around September, before the 700th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath celebrations get under way in 2020.
Celebrated sculptor, Edinburgh based Alan B Herriot was commissioned to undertake the work.
The two metre by 800mm panelling will feature aspects of Arbroath’s heritage, with images representing agriculture, the Declaration of Arbroath, the Abbey, fishing, the Bell Rock, linen and Seaton cliffs, along with engineering and textiles surrounding Arbroath’s coat of arms.
Former Dean of the Guildry Ian Ballantyne has led the project.
He said: “It has taken 18 months to get to this stage, and I am delighted at the progress that has been made.
“It has been a lot of work, but it is absolutely worth it.
“It will be a permanent feature, and will be there for generations, and as the story of Arbroath continues, other panels could be added in the future.
“We are all looking forward to the unveiling and because education is a big part of the panel, there will be a lot of involvement with local school pupils.”
Mr Ballantyne also paid tribute to Angus Council and Historic Environment Scotland (HES) for the help the group had received.
He said: “HES are contributing the two sandstone plinths that will support the panel, and they, along with the council, have been extremely supportive, for which we are very grateful.”
This will be the third Angus sculpture Mr Herriot has undertaken, with the statue of Sir Robert Watson-Watt, the pioneer of radar in Brechin unveiled in 2014, and the memorial to Norwegian sea dog Bamse at Montrose, which was completed in 2006.
Mr Herriot said it was a “signal honour” to be commissioned for the work.
He said “For any artist to have their work placed outside Arbroath Abbey is a great honour – it’s a signal honour.”
“Designing the bas-relief has been a very collaborative process with the client, and after drawings have been completed, an accurate model is made which is shown to the client and scaled up.
“After that, a complicated casting process takes place, which in this case, will see three panels made, and joined together before being sandblasted, rubbed down and patinated.”
Fundraising is already underway to find the final £5,000 required to pay for the panelling, with £16,000 of the £21,000 bill already raised by the Guildry, and details of how to contribute will be available on the Arbroath Guildry Incorporated website shortly.
