RGU design hare sculpture for Clan Cancer The Big Hop Trail

ROBERT Gordon University (RGU) is to sponsor a hare designed by a Gray’s School of Art student as part of Clan Cancer’s The Big Hop Trail that will be unveiled this summer.

The Big Hop Trail – the only one of its kind planned in Scotland this year – will include a cultural tour of the north-east, with 40 sculptures displayed across the region including Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Orkney, and Shetland, from July to September.

The sculpture trail, which is being supported by Wild in Art, coincides with Clan’s 40th anniversary and celebrates the charity’s commitment to support people affected by cancer, their family, carers and friends.

Gray’s School of Art student, Anne Falconer, who has just finished her first year, has been selected to design the sculpture sponsored by RGU and is currently creating a hare influenced by climate change.

Anne said: “Designing and painting the hare for The Big Hop Trail has been a great experience for me.

"I was surprised and delighted to hear I’d been selected. I've followed Clan's previous sculpture trails and am so excited to be a part of this one.

“My design is based on the colours of the mountain hare as it changes from summer to winter coat. I have also used the three hare’s motif, which has been used as decoration for many centuries, in a couple of different ways: using the star constellation Lepus (Latin for hare) and hare shaped moon shadows considered to be lucky in some cultures. The three-hare motif is related to the Scottish Triquetra symbol which I have also used, too.

“My design is a comment on climate change. The mountain hare is under threat because its white winter coat is less effective camouflage with reduced snow, and rising temperatures mean that other animals can live and feed higher in the mountains, competing for their food.”

RGU’s Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Steve Olivier said: “We are delighted to be taking part in Clan Cancer’s The Big Hop Trail.

"The trail will not only highlight the valuable work of Clan Cancer, but will also showcase many beauty spots and landmarks across the north-east including the region’s spectacular mountains, dramatic coastlines, vibrant cities and historic castles.”

Teresa Bremner, sculpture trail project manager at Clan Cancer Support, added: “We are delighted to have RGU on board as a sponsor this year for our 2023 sculpture trail, The Big Hop.

"Each of our hares feature their own bespoke design with many bearing meaningful messages which we have no doubt will resonate with trail goers across the north-east and beyond. We cannot wait to unveil all of our sculptures when the trail goes live in July!”

A Big Hop Trail map and app with fun facts and rewards will also help people navigate their way around to discover each sculpture.

Visitors who come to see RGU’s Big Clan Hare at the University’s Garthdee Campus will be able to park in the disabled and drop off spaces, directly opposite the Sir Ian Wood and Ishbel Gordon Buildings to enable easy access to the hare near a pedestrian crossing.