THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

A giant 20 foot fish may have anglers in Central Scotland doing a double take as it makes its way through Aberfoyle to a new home in Loch Ard forest on Thursday 24 April. (photo op, see notes to editors)

The only snag is that the pike can't be caught or eaten - the fish is made from metal and will be mounted in the loch. The eye catching work of art is one of eight sculptures being installed in Loch Ard forest as part of a wider tourism development project between Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley and Destination Trossachs which aims to create a family friendly experience in Loch Ard forest.

The sculptures will feature along the 16 miles of forest road in Loch Ard. The road consists of five different cycle routes which run through a wide variety of terrain and past many impressive sights including Loch Ard itself, Loch Chon and two rivers which tumble through the forest to join the river Forth - Duchary Water and Kelty Water.

Stuart Chalmers for Forestry Commission Scotland said:

"This project is designed to appeal to families and encourage them to visit Scotland's forests and take part in some healthy exercise. The sculptures and other phases of the project add a learning element to the visit, and can help make exercise fun. We have based the sculptures on the local wildlife found in Loch Ard, so keep an eye out for both the sculptures and the real thing!

"This is a three phase project, with phase one being complete by June 2008. By the time the project is completed in three years, Loch Ard forest will be a real draw for families and contain a variety of art, orientation points and unusual tales to entertain everyone.

"We are looking forward to the fish being transported through Aberfoyle - I'm sure the residents won't have seen anything like it before!"

The sculptures are:

A large eight foot diameter sun sculpture - similar to an asterisk symbol, which will be hung between two large trees at the Milton car park. One face of the sun is covered with small mirrors to reflect the surrounding landscape.
An acorn, made from vertical logs with the shape cut out of a cone. Visitor will be able to walk through the cone shaped opening.
Metal cut outs of red squirrels will be painted bright red. The squirrels are holding light sabres to represent that they are fighting back against the grey squirrels.
A fox with her cubs will be made from mirror so that they reflect the surrounding landscape and will almost disappear - just like the real ones. The sculptures are slightly larger than life size.
A three dimensional sculpture of an eagle, made out of small sections of mirror will be mounted on a pole overlooking Loch Ard.
A large metal Pike around 20ft long will be mounted in the loch. The sculpture was inspired by the reflections of branches sticking out of a loch.
An osprey made from lots of small bent metal rods will be placed on an eight foot high log. The wingspan on the sculpture is about three ft.
A six foot long shiny metal dragonfly with see through winds will be suspended in the loch.

The eye catching sculptures have been made locally by Rob Mulholland and have taken three months to make. The material has been sourced from a variety of sources including the use of local timber and reclaimed metal.

There will be an official launch in June to unveil the rest of the sculptures and additions which include sound posts and a wildlife hide.

Notes to news editors:
PHOTO OP: Media are invited to film or photograph the pike as it leaves Braeval Farm and arrives in Loch Ard Forest on Thursday 24 April at 9:30am. Media wishing to attend should make contact with Sarah MacLennan on 07818 427423.
DIRECTIONS: Meet at the Forestry Commission Scotland office in Aberfoyle (FK8 3UX)
From Glasgow take the A81 north towards Aberfoyle (20 miles). At roundabout beside Rob Roy Hotel take left onto A821 towards Aberfoyle. The Forestry Commission Scotland office is one hundred metres on right hand side.
From Stirling take A84 to Blairdrummond (4 miles), left at A873 (8miles) and follow on to A81 (4.7 miles). At roundabout beside Rob Roy Hotel take second exit onto A821 towards Aberfoyle. The Forestry Commission Scotland office is one hundered metres on right hand side.

More info on Rob Mulholland can be found at his website: http://www.robmulholland.co.uk/information.aspx?8

Media Enquiries to:
Claire Martin, Forestry Commission Scotland press office, tel: 0131 314 6506.

e-mail: claire.martin@forestry.gsi.gov.uk