This summer, Glasgow is paws-itively bursting with excitement as a very special event makes its way to the city centre.
From 18th June to 16th August, Scotties in the City will transform Glasgow into a giant free art trail, as giant, colourful Scottie dogs will be popping up all over the city, all to raise awareness for Maggie’s and the support the charity provides people with cancer and their friends and family.
Across the city, you will be able to discover 40 giant Scotties designed by local and international artists, alongside 52 mini Scotties created by schools, nurseries and community groups as part of the trail’s Community and Learning programme.
As proud sponsors of the Scotties in the City art trail, we’ve already been at the heart of the action with the arrival of Lochie the Scottie in February, as well as serving as an artists’ studio for local creators to come together and put the finishing touches on their Scottie sculptures. And that’s not all! We’re gearing up to welcome another Scottie as the trail gets underway, while our very own Born in Scotland store will serve as the official home of all the Maggie’s Scotties in the City merchandise throughout the summer too.
Whether you’re planning a family day out, meeting friends in the city or exploring Glasgow in a new way, here’s everything you need to know about the Scotties in the City trail, our Scottie dogs and the wonderful work that Maggie’s does.
Meet Lochie… and his friend
Already charming visitors inside the centre, Lochie is the trail’s very first Scottie to be unveiled ahead of the city-wide trail launch, and he’s been making himself at home right here in Buchanan Galleries since early this year.
Designed by Glasgow artist Douglas Roulston, the sculpture celebrates the creativity and character at the heart of Maggie’s Scotties in the City – a public art event created in partnership with Wild in Art, the team behind some of the UK’s most loved art trails – and provides a hint of some of what’s to come over the summer too..
You can find Lochie in the main atrium on the first floor of the centre now – and of course, Lochie is always ready for photos! From family selfies to trail-day adventures, don’t forget to stop, explore and share your Scotties in the City moments by tagging us on social media.
But Lochie won’t be alone for long! Stay tuned to find out more about our second Scottie, set to make his grand debut at the centre on 18th June when the Scotties in the City trail officially gets underway.
More than an art trail: supporting Maggie’s and Glasgow’s communities
While the trail promises colour, creativity and plenty of fun across the city, Scotties in the City also supports an important cause to many people across Glasgow and beyond.
The trail is in support of Maggie’s, the cancer charity providing free practical and emotional support for people with cancer, alongside their friends and families. At the end of the trail, the larger Scottie sculptures will be auctioned off to raise funds for the charity, helping Maggie’s continue its vital work supporting communities across Scotland and the UK.
The trail’s impact stretches even further through its Community and Learning Programme, which has invited schools, nurseries and community groups across Glasgow to design their own smaller Scottie sculptures.
In total, 60 mini Scotties have been created, giving participants the opportunity to explore creativity, storytelling and community connection while learning more about Maggie’s and the support the charity provides. These smaller sculptures will be displayed across educational and cultural venues throughout the city during the trail.
You can share your support for Maggie’s by picking up an official Scotties in the City trail map, available for a donation to Maggie’s online and in our Born in Scotland store. Want to have a go at designing a Scottie of your very own? We’ll have colouring-in templates available to share in the centre and via the download link below too – we can’t wait to see what you create!
Make Buchanan Galleries part of your summer trail
With two Scotties to discover, plenty of places to refuel and a central location in the heart of Glasgow, Buchanan Galleries is the perfect base for your Scotties in the City adventures this summer.
Start your day with coffee and a pastry at Caffe Nero, explore the sculptures in the centre and then grab lunch at Social Bite, refresh with a smoothie from Fuel or an iced drink from Bubble CiTea, or take a break with coffee and cake at Costa Coffee before continuing your trail adventure around the city.
Want to make a full day of it? Head back to Buchanan Galleries for an afternoon of shopping to end your day. From new season favourites at Mango Teen, River Island and Schuh to family favourite stores including LEGO, Smiggle and Build-A-Bear Workshop, we can help you keep younger explorers entertained the whole day and beyond – right up until a dinnertime visit to Philly Express after a busy day on the trail.
The trail’s free, family-friendly format makes it a great way to enjoy the city at your own pace – whether that’s hunting down every Scottie or simply stopping by Buchanan Galleries to meet Lochie and his friend during your next visit.
Unlock exclusive discounts
Need another reason to make Buchanan Galleries a big part of your visit during the Maggie's Scotties in the City Trail? We've teamed up with some of our brand partners to offer you exclusive discounts when you explore the trail using the Wild in Art app. You can enjoy savings at places like Whittard of Chelsea, Philly Express and American Dirty Soda and Radley, all while enjoying an incredible day out here in the heart of Glasgow.
Whether you’re ticking sculptures off the trail map, enjoying a shopping trip with friends or looking for something fun and free to do with the family, Buchanan Galleries is the perfect Scotties stop-off.
