Nessie spotted in Balloch
Loch Ness Monster and Woodland Animals are Inverness pupils’ winning designs for community benches competition.
Prize winning pupils at Balloch Primary School and Culloden Academy have recently seen their winning designs for public benches become reality as two new carved wooden benches were installed in their communities.
For Rowen Anderson in primary 7 at Balloch Primary, the Loch Ness Monster was his inspiration. His design incorporates a Nessie sporting a tartan hat. The Nessie bench is located at Wellside Gardens in Balloch, Inverness.
Fifth year pupil at Culloden Academy, Anya Fraser and friends designed a bench incorporating woodland animals which has been placed in a newly planted orchard area at Culloden Academy.
The competition to design benches was organised by Balloch Community Council with funding from the Green Inverness initiative. The aim of the project was to encourage local people to use green spaces more by installing carved wooden benches throughout the community. Designs were intended to reflect the local environment in some way. Pupils from Balloch Primary and an art class at Culloden Academy were invited to create designs. One design was chosen from each school.
The winning designs were carved by Black Isle chain saw sculptor Iain Chalmers.
Other benches were designed by Brownies, Guides, Scouts and two local people. They have been installed in and around Balloch village.
Highland Councillor Kate Stephen for Culloden and Ardersier Ward and former Balloch Community Councillor who was involved in the project said: “Congratulations to Rowen and Anya for their fantastic designs it’s great to see the new benches installed and I hope local folks enjoy them for many years to come.”