Under cover of darkness, the Oor Wullie art trail was officially installed in various locations around Glasgow and the West to raise funds for Scotland’s children’s hospital charities. 

Two hundred life-sized, bespoke Oor Wullie sculptures designed by different artists with different themes have been installed across 700 miles – with more than 50 found in Glasgow. 

Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, The ARCHIE Foundation and Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity have joined forces for the first time with Wild in Art, and international arts events company and DC Thomson Media to bring to life Scotland’s favourite character, raise funds and engage the public with art.

Voted ‘Scotland’s Favourite Son’ over William Wallace and Robert Burns, the trail celebrates the life and times of Broon’s comic legend Oor Wullie. Each Oor Wullie sculpture is unique, reflecting different aspects of Scotland’s cultural identity.

The project aims to significantly boost Scotland’s provision for children and young people in hospital by raising essential funds through the trail and associated events and sculpture auctions. The app and trail maps are free to download and participate in. 

Glasgow Times:

From June to September, the trail is expected to attract over one million members of the public who will be encouraged to explore the country and spot Oor Wullie’s. 

Shona Cardle, CEO of Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Oor Wullie is bound to knock the Duke of Wellington off the top spot as the city’s most famous sculpture this summer.

“The trail has already captured the hearts and imaginations of thousands of schoolchildren across Scotland… we hope that everyone will get behind the trail and help to raise vital funds for the babies, children and young people treated at Scotland’s busiest children’s hospital.”

The Glasgow Science Centre is home to ‘Wullie, Yer A Pure Dancer’. Tara Gibson, Glasgow Science Centre’s senior science learning coordinator, said: “We’re biased, but we reckon Glasgow Science Centre has the best Oor Wullie statue on the entire trail. He’s dressed to impressed as he sits on a mirror ball bucket before heading up the dancin’.”

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A further 350 mini sculptures – ‘Wee Willies’ – are also installed in venues around the city.

Decorated by local schools, youth and community groups, the Wee Willies form mini trails in local libraries, art galleries, and shopping centres such as Glasgow’s Princes’ Square. 

Annette, a shopper in Princes Square told the Evening Times: “It’s lovely, its happy, it’s jolly. They’re great for the children. It just brings a smile to your face, doesn’t it?”

All Glasgow sculptures will be brought together at a Farewell Weekend in Glasgow before being auctioned to raise funds for the chosen charities.