A new public artwork by internationally renowned sculptor Andy Scott has been erected in Menstrie.

Nicknamed 'Fox Boy' the sculpture features a boy with a fox's head sitting on a water wheel. It has been installed in the village's Midtown gardens.

A number of Menstrie residents have been closely involved in the design evolution of the sculpture and while they had originally chosen a design which incorporated a boy sitting on a water wheel, their work with Andy and visits to his workshop has seen the figure evolve into one with a fox's head.

Cultural Planner Kathleen O'Neill said: "It is a pleasure to see that the community, who have met the artist on a number of occasions to explore the public art process, have influenced the design."

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Menstrie Community Council chairman Les Sharp said: "The new piece of sculpture from Andy Scott now has pride of place in Midtown Gardens. The figure depicts both past and modern Menstrie life. The boys is dressed in current style complete with trainers and hoodie top, reflecting our youth of today, while the fox's head and tail come from two aspects of village life. There are foxes around us in the countryside, but also it is known that in days gone-by children in the village kept foxes as pets.

"Within the sculpture you will also find a buzzard, of which we have a pair in the woods, and under his rights hand a maple leaf, representing our connection with Nova Scotia."

Mr Sharp said he felt "incredibly fortunate" to have a sculpture by such a renowned artist as Andy Scott in the centre of the village.

Andy Scott said: "I am very pleased at the outcome of the commission, and especially the result of the close consultation with local people in the sculpture's design."

Community artist Margo Winning has worked closely with members of Menstrie Community Council and a group of local young people, helping to demystify the public art process. Many of their original design drawings have been incorporated into the wheel section of the sculpture.

(GK/JM)