Highland Hospice has had several artists squirrelling away over the past few months on designs for 23 colourful 5 foot squirrels which will form the Highlands’ first ever art trail.

The Go Nuts Art Trail launches on 28 June with the eye-catching squirrels spread across the Highlands, each sponsored by a local business. Earlier this year each of the sponsors chose their favourite squirrels from designs which had been submitted by the artists.

Highland Hospice’s Events Fundraiser Jenna Hayden said, “We have been so fortunate to have local artist Scott Gleed from Gleed3D on board to sculpt these fabulous squirrels for us. They are currently with Parks Motor Group who very kindly offered to apply lacquer to each sculpture to make it weatherproof.”

Go Nuts Art Trail locations include Tain, Evanton, Beauly, the Black Isle, Portree, Eilean Donan, Castle of Mey, Logie, Nairn, Fort Augustus, Fort William and Boat of Garten. There will also be seven in the city of Inverness in well-visited locations

There will be free maps available from each Highland Hospice shop, as well as sticker books, bands and tote bags also on sale.

In September 2019, once the trail has come to an end, the squirrels will be gathered together for a farewell display, before taking centre stage at a Highland Hospice charity auction in November after which they will move to their new permanent homes.

Jenna Hayden added, “This is a hugely exciting project for the Highlands this summer – we’ve never seen anything like it up here.  Go Nuts will appeal to people of all ages, including families, tourists and those who live local to each sculpture.  The designs are truly incredible, and the finished products are better than we ever could have imagined thanks to Scott and each and every one of our talented artists. We can’t wait to see the public’s reaction to them!”