Giant bronze horse makes visit to Inverness en route to Ascot
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The impressive sculpture is the latest casting completed by Nairn-based foundry Black Isle Bronze.
“Poppy” is a tribute to the millions of horses, mules and donkeys killed supporting Allied forces in WWI.
Foundry director Farquhar Laing, who lost his great grandfather Farquhar and great grand-uncle Alexander on day one of the Battle of the Somme in 1916, said: “This project will live long in the memory.
“Eight million horses perished. It’s only right that their sacrifice is represented with this magnificent memorial. The artist is a phenomenal talent.”
For British sculptor Susan Leyland, who lives in Italy but has Scots heritage, the respect is mutual.
“They’ve done a wonderful job,” she said. “I was swept along by their professionalism. It’s been never-ending smiles and help,”
Susan Osborne of the War Horse Memorial, which commissioned the work in 2014, said: “We chose Black Isle Bronze in Nairn because its attention to detail and its craftsmanship is so brilliant.”
The 1.5-tonne monument bound for Ascot will be officially unveiled in June.
