Black Isle Bronze.

More than 200 people from Nairn joined family and friends of Black Isle Bronze on Friday afternoon ( April 27, 2018) to celebrate the completion of the War Horse Memorial.

For the past eight months the dedicated team at the foundry, under the careful supervision of director Farquhar Laing, have worked with sculptor Susan Leyland to produce Poppy, the masterpiece you see here She will become a national monument to the millions of UK, allied and Commonwealth horses, mules and donkeys who gave service and sacrifice during the Great War of 1914-1918. The moment was heralded by piper Hamish Martindale (11) who signalled Poppy’s farewell from the foundry as she was hoisted carefully and with precision onto the low loader, in preparation for the long journey south to Ascot via Inverness.

Residents of Nairn.

Also pictured above here (centre) with co-founders Alan Carr MBE and Susan Osborne, Farquhar Laing and Susan Leyland is Leslie McKenzie, from Aberdeen who collected her limited edition bronze maquette of the War Horse ( 52/100) and who is herself an acclaimed artist. She has bought the sculpture in memory of her husband who sadly died recently and in celebration of her son who is in the Army and she says makes her proud every day!

Poppy set for her journey.

Piper Hamish Martindale (11)