The poignant arrival of two doves at an iconic poppy sculpture in Orkney will not delay the artwork’s installation in Perth, organisers have pledged.
The Weeping Window exhibit was set up at St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall last month.
The ceramic poppies are part of the renowned Blood Swept Lands display which attracted huge crowds to the Tower of London during 2014.
The artwork is due to open at Perth’s Balhousie Castle at the end of next month. It will be the first time they will go on show in mainland Scotland.
However, a pair of doves have been spotted amongst the poppies at Kirkwall, sparking fears they are about to nest.
There was concern that their eggs might not be hatch before the installation is due to be dismantled on June 12.
Organisers have said the birds appear to have now left the display, but RSPB Scotland is continuing to keep a close eye on the situation.
A spokeswoman for 14-18 Now, the group behind the World War I centenary attraction, said: “The doves have not nested and have now moved on, although we are continuing to monitor the situation carefully with the RSPB.
“This will not affect the timetable for the display of the poppies in Perth later this summer.”
Balhousie Castle, home of the award-winning Black Watch Museum, will host the display from June 30 to September 25.
The installation will feature 10,000 poppies cascading from a top-floor window and curling round to form an arch.
The UK tour, which also takes in Lincoln and Caernarfon in Wales, was made possible with £2.5million of UK Government cash.
It will cost around £42,750 to host the event and Perth and Kinross Council has agreed to pay half of the total through its common goods fund.
The poppies’ arrival is further expected to boost Perth’s bid for City of Culture 2020.
A mini-tattoo procession will be held in Perth during the display.
