A massive red deer will help to point tourists towards the rich wildlife of Highland Perthshire.
The three metre high installation was created to celebrate 25 years of one of the area’s most successful tourism business.
Highland Safaris, which operates from a base in the village of Dull, commissioned social enterprise The Workshop Aberfeldy to produce the stag, helping local youngsters to gain skills and boost their chances of finding work.
The sculpture, based on Highland Safaris distinctive red deer logo, was unveiled by Bailey Pearce from Aberfeldy, one of the local youngsters who took part in the project.
Bailey was joined by other invited guests from bodies such as VisitScotland, along with local accommodation partners and suppliers.
Highland Safaris has grown its business from one Land Rover taking small groups up into the hills into a five star rated visitor attraction.
The company now offers Land Rover, walking and cycle safaris, as well as team building events, a red deer centre, gold panning and a mountain bike skills loop.
It recently diversified from land onto water with the launch of Loch Tay Safaris, a guided tour of Perthshire’s largest loch.
Donald Riddell, who founded the firm with wife Julie in 1992, said: “We’re hugely excited about unveiling this impressive stag installation to celebrate our silver anniversary.”
He thanked The Workshop Aberfeldy for taking on the commission and JGB Steelcraft of Hillington, Glasgow, who carried out the cutting and fabrication.
“The Workshop is an amazing local initiative, and a registered charity, which is really changing lives and enabling many more young people to stay in the area and find gainful employment,” said Mrs Riddell.
Paul Parmenter, manager of The Workshop Aberfeldy, said: “People of all ages come to us to learn wood working, metal working and laser cutting, in addition to business management, although we particularly focus on helping young people who face barriers to employment.”
