The Scotties in the City art trail in support of Maggie’s will run for a full eight weeks until 16 August.

The Scottie sculptures were unleashed on Thursday 18 June, with an official launch event at the Riverside Museum, where many real Scottie dog owners and enthusiasts had gathered to be the first to view the giant Scottie sculptures.

Also in attendance were Lord Provost of Glasgow Jacqueline McLaren, and Honorary Patron of Maggie’s Kirsty Wark.

The sculptures are located across the city at various venues, including the Riverside Museum, the Science Centre, Kibble Palace, Milngavie and Giffnock, and Paisley Abbey. As well as the 40 giant Scotties, a further 52 smaller Scottie sculptures designed by schools, nurseries and community groups feature in the trail and can be found at Glasgow libraries, the Buchanan Galleries and other venues.

Colour, creativity and community

The Lord Provost said: “It is a pleasure to welcome the Scotties in the City trail to Glasgow, a fantastic new addition that will bring colour, creativity and a sense of fun to our streets this summer.

This is a brilliant way for residents and visitors alike to explore the city in a different way, while enjoying the unique character and charm that Glasgow is known for.

“As people make their way along the trail, I would encourage them to support Maggie’s with a donation, if they can, or consider buying one of the Scotties at auction. The charity does truly remarkable work, supporting people to live with cancer in our communities.”

Broadcaster and journalist, Kirsty Wark, an Honorary Patron of Maggie’s who helped bring Maggie’s to Glasgow, was also in attendance at the launch. She said: “I am delighted to be here today to help launch the Scotties in the City art trail in support of Maggie’s.

“It’s a wonderful, heartwarming event to have here in Glasgow and an amazing way to help us mark 30 years of Maggie’s transformative cancer care across the UK.

“It is so lovely as well that so many schools, nurseries and community have been involved in designing 52 smaller Scottie sculptures which can also been seen in venues across the city over the summer.

Maggie’s is a charity and relies almost entirely on voluntary funding, so I hope these incredible statues will do also well at auction when the time comes and raise vital funds to help Maggie’s reach as many people as possible facing a cancer diagnosis in Glasgow and the rest of Scotland.

Hayley Smith, Project Manager for ‘Scotties in the City’ at Maggie’s, added: “Today marks the launch of our ‘Scotties in the City’ art trail in partnership with Wild in Art, which sees Glasgow transformed by 40 Scottie giant dogs!

“Each has been beautifully designed and painted by talented artists. We’ve had many sponsors on board who have supported us to make this happen, including Malcolm Group, Multiplex, McGhees, Safe Deposits Scotland, One Devonshire Gardens, WB Alloys, Kick ICT and Citylink, Tunnocks and Walkers.

“I would like to thank each and every one of our sponsors for all of their fantastic support. I would also like to thank all of the brilliant artists who came onboard for their hard work and beautifully designed dogs. 

“Most importantly, we are hoping that people will enjoy the trail and feel uplifted enough to make a donation to Maggie’s cancer charity to help us support as many people and their families living with cancer in Scotland.

Bringing people together from across the globe

“We know people have travelled from far and wide to be one of the first to view the trail, including ladies from North Berwick and Dundee today. One couple, Mike and Bettina, real Scottie enthusiasts, even travelled all the way from Switzerland with their own real dogs to see the Scotties!

Hayley added: “It’s been fantastic to see the real Scottie dog community get behind us too and one lady, Jane McNiven, a Scottie dog breeder from Alexandria, who has actually been supported by Maggie’s for breast cancer herself, has been promoting our art trail and awareness of Maggie’s cancer at Crufts and many other dog shows this year!

“Alongside the trail, we have also run an educational programme over the last nine months, which saw many schools and nurseries and community groups play their part in designing 52 smaller Scottie sculptures.

“These smaller sculptures form part of the bigger art trail and can be found grouped together in Buchanan Galleries and at libraries around the city. These much loved smaller sculptures will eventually be returned to the proud school owners to have onsite.”

Fundraising events alongside the trail

Maggie’s is also organising  a ‘Farewell Weekend’, where all of the Scottie dogs can be viewed at the Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust in Bridgeton on 29-30 August. Get your tickets for the event here.

Hayley added: “The grand finale to the trail will be in September when we host an evening where will auction off our beautiful, giant Scotties with the aim of raising as much money for Maggie’s to support as many families going through cancer treatment as possible.

Charlie Langhorne, MD and Co founder of Wild in Art added: “We are thrilled to be working with our friends and partners at Maggie’s on our first standalone trail in Glasgow. 

“Following the success of our previous partnerships in Dundee and St Andrews, we are confident that our Wild in Art Scottie Dogs will bring joy to both residents and tourists as they discover the trail and explore the city. Importantly, this initiative will also raise awareness and vital funds to support the invaluable work that Maggie’s does to help people with cancer and their families.” 

Following the trail, the Scotties will be auctioned off in September to raise much needed funds for Maggie’s centres to support people living with cancer across Scotland. You can register your interest in the Scotties auction here.