Latest news with #NationalUnicornDay
Scotsman
01-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Irn-Bru makers submit plans to transform The Kelpies in Falkirk into unicorns
The Kelpies in Falkirk would be transformed on one day every year under the plans submitted on behalf of Irn-Bru Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... They are one of the most instantly-recognisable sculptures in Scotland, but they could be getting a dramatic makeover if a soft drinks manufacturer gets its way. AG Barr – the makers of Irn-Bru – have lodged an application to give Falkirk's world-famous Kelpies some added fizz with a magical makeover. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A proposal has been submitted to Falkirk Council's Local Development Plan 3 consultation to mount 15-foot horns onto The Kelpies every year on National Unicorn Day. The day falls on April 9 each year. Irn Bru has supposedly made official moves to equip the Kelpies with unicorn horns (Picture: Submitted) The proposal comes complete with detailed CGI artwork showing how the majestic sculptures would look with their facelift – designed to match the existing steel facade, which already attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The company said the proposal had been submitted to mark the launch of its Unicorn Tears flavoured limited edition Irn-Bru XTRA. Kenny Nicholson, head of brand at Irn-Bru, said: 'The Kelpies are one of the most inspiring sculptures in the UK – an incredible feat of engineering and creativity – so we think they're the perfect spot to celebrate Scotland's most legendary animal. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'By crowning them with a unicorn horn every World Unicorn Day, we can help tell the story of Scotland's centuries-long love affair with the unicorn – from royal seals and ancient coins, all the way to cans of IRN-BRU XTRA's new Unicorn Tears flavour.' The 300-tonne, 98ft (30m) high horse head sculptures were created by artist Andy Scott. They were officially opened in 2014 and sit in Helix Park, Falkirk, close to the M9 motorway.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Unicorn sculptures on Royal Mile to have missing horns restored
A pair of unicorn sculptures in one of Edinburgh's most iconic locations will have their missing horns restored to their former glory. The 19th century animal statues adorn the facade of the Scotch Whisky Experience, in front of the Edinburgh Castle esplanade. While the horse sculptures themselves have withstood the test of time, the horns which once sprouted from their heads have not. With the Scotch Whisky Experience building at the top of the Royal Mile currently undergoing restoration work, an opportunity has arisen to make the sculptures complete once again. The original horns were crafted from wood and lead. Ross Morris, head of facilities and IT at the Scotch Whisky Experience, is a keen woodworker in his spare time and has taken on the task of creating the replacement unicorn horns in his home workshop. Once completed, the horns will be installed in situ on top of the building. Mr Morris hopes to complete the work ahead of National Unicorn Day on April 9. A spokeswoman for the Scotch Whisky Experience said: 'According to myth and legend, unicorns are immortal creatures, meaning they can never die, but they do sometimes need a little TLC. 'Our wonderful unicorns, crowning the facade of our building on Castlehill, were crafted in the 1800s from sandstone, oak, and lead. While their spirit is immortal, their oak horns were not. 'Our unicorns also carry the heritage of other enchanting creatures, as they are believed to be sculpted from Corncockle sandstone, a material renowned for preserving ancient dinosaur footprints.' The visitor attraction is investing £750,000 in a meticulous like-for-like restoration to preserve its B-listed building in Edinburgh's World Heritage Site. Formerly Castlehill School, it dates back to 1887 and was designed by the architect Robert Wilson. As part of the restoration 'whiskies of the month' will be themed around unicorns, featuring stories and imagery of the mythic beasts, and there will also be a unicorn-themed cocktail available in the bar. Once complete, the unicorns will form part of a 'unicorn trail' stretching down the Royal Mile, including sculptures and carvings at Edinburgh Castle, St Giles' Cathedral, the Mercat Cross, the gates of Holyrood Palace and the Queen's Gallery. The Scotch Whisky Experience is shortly planning to launch a naming competition for the two sculptures.
The Independent
03-03-2025
- General
- The Independent
Unicorn sculptures on Royal Mile to have missing horns restored
A pair of unicorn sculptures in one of Edinburgh's most iconic locations will have their missing horns restored to their former glory. The 19th century animal statues adorn the facade of the Scotch Whisky Experience, in front of the Edinburgh Castle esplanade. While the horse sculptures themselves have withstood the test of time, the horns which once sprouted from their heads have not. With the Scotch Whisky Experience building at the top of the Royal Mile currently undergoing restoration work, an opportunity has arisen to make the sculptures complete once again. The original horns were crafted from wood and lead. Ross Morris, head of facilities and IT at the Scotch Whisky Experience, is a keen woodworker in his spare time and has taken on the task of creating the replacement unicorn horns in his home workshop. Once completed, the horns will be installed in situ on top of the building. Mr Morris hopes to complete the work ahead of National Unicorn Day on April 9. A spokeswoman for the Scotch Whisky Experience said: 'According to myth and legend, unicorns are immortal creatures, meaning they can never die, but they do sometimes need a little TLC. 'Our wonderful unicorns, crowning the facade of our building on Castlehill, were crafted in the 1800s from sandstone, oak, and lead. While their spirit is immortal, their oak horns were not. 'Our unicorns also carry the heritage of other enchanting creatures, as they are believed to be sculpted from Corncockle sandstone, a material renowned for preserving ancient dinosaur footprints.' The visitor attraction is investing £750,000 in a meticulous like-for-like restoration to preserve its B-listed building in Edinburgh's World Heritage Site. Formerly Castlehill School, it dates back to 1887 and was designed by the architect Robert Wilson. As part of the restoration 'whiskies of the month' will be themed around unicorns, featuring stories and imagery of the mythic beasts, and there will also be a unicorn-themed cocktail available in the bar. Once complete, the unicorns will form part of a 'unicorn trail' stretching down the Royal Mile, including sculptures and carvings at Edinburgh Castle, St Giles' Cathedral, the Mercat Cross, the gates of Holyrood Palace and the Queen's Gallery. The Scotch Whisky Experience is shortly planning to launch a naming competition for the two sculptures.
