PICTURES: Doggie sculpture winner says Highland Council's controversial MyNess Gathering Place walkway is "about as appropriate as the Bridge Street buildings put up in the 1960s" as Inverness Angling Club's Golden Labrador is named Breac
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A dental equipment technician has won a contest to name the new River Ness-side sculpture installed by Inverness Angling Club.
Kevin MacLennan (59), from Alturlie Point near Inverness, put forward the name Breac – Gaelic for fish or speckled brown trout.
More than 150 entries were whittled down to six by the fishermen and then put to a public vote.
Mr MacLennan's suggestion drew 30 per cent support, while Sonas (good fortune – Gaelic) and Ghillie came joint second on 25 per cent.
Behind those were Abhainn (River – Gaelic) with 10%, and Justice and Rebel, each with 5%.
The doggie was intended as “the nicest possible protest” by anglers who say the concrete Gathering Place walkway, built with Highland Council funding and other public money, has blighted their century-old fishing beat.
The building work, part of the £790,000-plus MyNess art project, has drawn widespread criticism.
“I certainly felt, when I saw the sculpture, it was a lot better than what the council had put there,” Mr MacLennan said.
“It is about as appropriate as the buildings they put up in Bridge Street back in the 1960s.
“I’m not a Gaelic speaker, but the name Breac seemed appropriate name.”
Steve Watt, vice-president of Inverness Angling Club, was delighted with the outcome.
“It is great that the Inverness public got behind the naming competition in such good numbers and we congratulate Kevin on getting the most votes,” Mr Watt said.
“It’s a lovely name for the sculpture, which has already captured the imagination of local people and visitors.
“We’ve made no secret of the fact that we feel the Gathering Place has ruined what has been a beautiful fishing beat and scenic spot for the people of Inverness for generations.
“We came up with the idea of placing some real art at the site as the nicest possible kind of protest against what the council has done.
“The supportive messages and comments we’ve had since installing the doggie have been absolutely fantastic and the angling club would like to thank everyone for that.”
The anglers have watched many locals and visitors come to view the doggie, with one admirer placing a collar on Breac, while others have taken time to give his nose a wee rub for good luck.
Mr Watt added: “We’ve even had a very kind retired guy, who is a French polisher, coming down to fill in all the cracks and help preserve the wood.
“He just saw the story online and he and his wife now come down to look after the sculpture when they can.”
The anglers now intend to add a plaque with the name Breac beneath the doggie sculpture which sits patiently gazing out across the River Ness towards Ness Islands.
