Perth's Black Watch Museum sees Hauntings soldier statue winched into place

Early on Thursday, June 29 a heavy-lifting team started the task of assembling a six metre tall metal sculpture to be the crowning glory of Perth’s Black Watch Museum this summer.

‘The Hauntings’ is a giant representation of a war-weary soldier and the award-winning regimental museum in Perth is delighted for it to be on loan, ‘stationed’ here as a unique visitor attraction free for all to admire until November 12.

The first visitors on Saturday, July 1 will see it standing in the grounds of Balhousie Castle near the North Inch. This will be the only place The Hauntings is installed in Scotland so its arrival is a big coup for Perth.

Caroline Warburton, VisitScotland destination development director, said: “The opening of the Hauntings exhibition at the Black Watch Castle and Museum is a fantastic addition to Perth’s strong arts and cultural offer.

“Excitement for the only Scottish appearance of this remarkable art sculpture has been building in recent months and it is sure to attract visitors from across the country, providing a boost for the city’s economy and tourism businesses and showcasing Perth and Perthshire as a world-class tourism destination.”

Lifting the legs over the hedge at The Black Watch Castle and Museum as the lower half of The Hauntings sculpture arrives on June 29 (Perthshire Advertiser)

On guard, The Hauntings statue finds a place outside the regimental museum in Perth (Perthshire Advertiser)

Artist Martin Galbavy and forger Chris Hannam travelled to Perth to get the sculpture set up (Perthshire Advertiser)

The scrap metal sculpture was commissioned for the World War One centenary in 2014 by a couple based in Somerset, Jo Oliver and Paul Richards.

The inspiration behind the sculpture was the reported sightings of a ghostly soldier seen wandering around the Somerset hills close to where Jo grew up, looking for his way home.

See the website theblackwatch.co.uk/the-hauntings/ for all information.