Crowds have been descending on Dundee’s Slessor Gardens to catch a final glimpse of Oor Wullie in the bucket trail’s penultimate event.
Visitors said the popular bucket trail had “brought the city together” with one saying it was the best thing to happen to Dundee for a long time.
Ticket holders, eager to get selfies with the statues before they’re auctioned off next week, have turned out in their thousands to see over 100 incarnations of the famous scamp on his bucket.
It has been quite an experience for all of those concerned.
Organisers have said they have now covered all their expenses, meaning all proceeds from Tuesday’s auction will go directly to Archie’s ongoing appeal to raise money for a twin operating suite at Tayside Children’s Hospital
Suzanne Scott, artist coordinator for the trail, said: “It’s really quite emotional because it has been my entire life since February, it’s been 24/7.
“It’s great to see people once more loving them. It’s been beyond my wildest dreams. I knew it would be fun and people would enjoy it and it would grab people’s attention, but this is beyond belief.
“The auction is the entire point of it all. It’s great to put on a public art exhibition but it’s all about raising money.
“The project has brought Dundee together as a city, brought generations together and brought families together by giving them something to do. It means something to people.”
Footage captured by Rising View, a local licensed drone pilot, shows the Wullies sitting out on display.
Fans of the bucket trail, who queued up outside the gates to get inside, said they were enjoying a last chance to see the statues.
Rachel Hunter said: “We came along because my dad read all the Oor Wullies when he was younger. I’m here with his first grandson on one of his first outings so it’s great.
“It would be good if some of them stayed in Dundee so that they can be enjoyed for years to come.”
Jennifer Robertson, 69, added: “It’s brilliant. We have done the circuit and seen most of them. It is a shame it is all so short lived but it is a great cause.
“It’s the best thing that has happened for a long time.”
Tom Williams said: “It is a good cause and it would be good if the city got some. It’s a really good and worthwhile cause.”
Councillor Ian Borthwick commented: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all those involved in the enterprise. This has added a great deal of colour and interest in the city particularly to young people. The objective of fund raising is very commendable. I am sure I voice the opinion of many.”
Tickets still remain for those wishing to attend the farewell event today and on Sunday.
How to get involved in the auction
Tuesday’s auction is the last event on the bucket trail calendar, with 70 sculptures going under the hammer for charity.
Kicking off at 6.45pm at the Dundee Rep, and streamed online, bidders will have the chance to take their favourite Oor Wullie home with them.
And with a guide price of £2,000 per statue it will be a fantastic night of fundraising for the Archie Foundation.
Tickets are required to attend the evening and anyone wishing to take part should complete a pre-bid registration form, available on the bucket trail’s website.
This should then be sent to Cassie Thompson on cassie@archiefoundation.org.uk before Tuesday.
However, for those unable to attend the evening, all the lots are available on i-bidder.com.
The online service allows people to follow the auction on the night and bid in real-time as if they were in the auction room.
There is also the option to put in a maximum bid in advance and the website will then choose the lowest bid possible to win.
The i-bidder is now open for registrations and requires a £250 deposit. The deposit will be automatically refunded after the sale if you have been unsuccessful in the bidding.
