Seaboard 'selkie' could join mermaid on mythical sculpture trail
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A planning application to welcome a 'merman' to the Seaboard village of Balintore is set to be decided by Highland Council.
The Seaboard Memorial Hall lodged an application seeking consent in May, hoping to add the new artwork to its iconic Seaboard Sculpture Trail.
If planning is approved and the project receives funding, the feature will sit within a proposed seating area located near the Seaboard Centre.
The coast is already well-known for its 'Mermaid of the North', a bronze-cast sculpture which sits upon a rock named 'Clach Dubh' (black rock in Gaelic).
The mermaid’s origins are deep-rooted in Easter Ross folklore.
According to a tale, a fisherman took the mermaid to be his wife and hid her tail.
Years later, after bearing his children, she found her tail and escaped back to sea, returning regularly to the shore to bring fish to her hungry children.
Like the mermaid, the proposed 'merman' is said to be steeped in the mythology of Scotland's northern isles. Commonly referred to as a 'selkie' – meaning ‘seal folk’ – the creatures are said to live as seals in the sea before shedding their skin to become human beings on land.
Seaboard Centre representative Maureen Ross said: "Legends, as opposed to fictional myths, contain a seed of truth. They are born from historical events, people or real-life moments that become part of our collective cultural context. The merman (selkie) is one such legend.
"Many seamen have claimed to have seen them, but as these stories evolved and have been passed from generation to generation, they picked up details that can twist and colour the truth, making legends even more memorable, relatable and entertaining.
"We saw the opportunity of using this maritime folklore to our advantage. From the proposed seating area many a seal can be spotted – or perhaps it might just be a selkie. Who knows?"
But the centre's proposal has been met with objection from members of Balintore and Hilton Community Council, citing concerns over public safety.
A public comment from Jennifer McCann states: "Our primary objection stems from the proposed extension location, which is situated at a busy junction. Placing a new structure at this junction raises significant road safety concerns. The increased volume of pedestrians and vehicles navigating this area could lead to a heightened risk of accidents, potentially endangering residents and visitors alike.
"The existing sculpture, known as the 'Mermaid of the North', has already experienced problems with irresponsible parking, causing inconvenience and safety issues for both motorists and pedestrians.
"We urge the planning authorities to prioritise the community's safety and carefully consider the potential hazards of this location."
Ms Ross added: "The application is to enable the Seaboard community to complete what was set out 20 years ago, when the idea was instigated by the Seaboard Initiative. Their committee was represented by local groups including the community council, and all were unanimous in support of each project and planning was gained for a feature on the exact same site.
"The existing site is overgrown with invasive ivy and self-seeding trees which obstruct the view of the Moray Firth. This project will address this and be another asset to add to some 30 capital projects completed here in the Seaboard, all supported with funding assistance by Highland Council, HIE, Lottery, Community and many voluntary hours."
A decision is expected to be made on Wednesday.
