Thanks to Springfield Properties of Elgin pupils at a Banffshire Primary school are having their say in the design of a new gateway feature for the eastern approach to their town.

The public art feature has been commissioned by Springfield as a planning condition and part of the developer contribution for their Golf View development in Macduff that overlooks Royal Tarlair Golf Course.

Keen to involve the community in the development of a design for the gateway art the company were anxious to tap in to local stories and knowledge by working with schools. Acclaimed landscape architect Lisa Mackenzie and Edinburgh-based artist Elise Campbell, who hails from Boddam, took lots of inspiration from a full day workshop with Primary 5 children from Macduff Primary School.

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Work from a "homecoming" project was used to prepare for the day that allowed the artist and designer to hear the children's perspective on the town, their favourite places and views, and what makes Macduff special.

As well as sharing their thoughts the children were asked to find out something about Macduff from a neighbour or relative and share it at the workshop.

Gauging reaction to around 40 photographs of sculpture from around the world was "very revealing" according to artist Elise Campbell.

She said: "A child's eye view is often surprising, the children rated the sculptures and there was a definite theme to the ones they liked best, they were very discerning"

During the afternoon the class went exploring in and around Macduff armed with viewing frames, mirror cards and cameras. The route, which the pupils had planned, took in all their favourite places.

The artist and designer are now working on design ideas and plan to return to the school to discuss possible designs.

Marketing Manager at Springfield Properties, Jane Innes, added: "We are delighted to be working on this project with Macduff Primary School and such an accomplished landscape architect and artist.

"The workshop was very productive and the school and the pupils are to be congratulated for their part in it. We look forward to meeting with the school again and to the unveiling of the feature sometime later this year."

(GK/JM)