Winning design by Inverness primary pupil brought to life for Scottish Building Society and Scottish Women’s Premier League
LIFE has been imitating art for an Inverness primary pupil.
Finlay Hamilton has come face-to-face with his design for a new football mascot after it was brought to life to cheer on teams playing in the Scottish Women’s Premier League.
The 11-year-old combined his love of the West Highland terriers his grandparents used to have along with his own interest in the bagpipes – which he is now learning to play – to create the mascot for league sponsor the Scottish Building Society.
Although there have been a couple of tweaks to his original design, the Crown Primary pupil seemed pleased with the result.
“It’s really special to see my design come to life and visit my school,” he said.
Finlay has also won the chance to see his mascot cheer on the team at some games later this year.
His design triumphed in a national competition run by the building society for children aged eight to 12 years old.
The idea for the competition formed part of 170th anniversary celebrations for the building society, with the mascot also to be used to promote its own activities.
Finlay did not give the mascot a name so the building society is asking for the public to vote for one on its Facebook page. The options are: Alba, Findlay, Hamish, Rabbie and Scottie McDog.
Kerra McKinnie, head of marketing and communications for the building society, said: “We are thrilled to see Finlay’s mascot drawing brought to life and are looking forward to seeing his creation attend community events across the country.”
Scottish artist Steve Brown was one of the judges for the mascot competition and said was looking for a truly Scottish mascot:
“Art is such a brilliant way to communicate and competitions like these inspire children to really express themselves creatively.”
