The people behind a permanent memorial to AC/DC rocker Bon Scott have thanked the public for their “huge show of support” ahead of a crunch planning decision.
Angus councillors will this month be asked to approve a statue of the singer, who was born in Forfar and raised in Kirriemuir before emigrating to Australia, at the foot of Kirrie’s town centre.
Organisers DD8 Music have seen 72 supporting submissions sent to Angus Council’s planning department from the local area.
DD8 development worker Graham Galloway said Bon’s grave is the most visited in Australia, and tourism will benefit from his presence in Bellies Brae.
“The worldwide support for the statue has also been incredible,” he said.
“We had people from 24 different countries around the world donate towards the statue, from as far afield as Japan and Brazil.
“Bon’s grave in Australia is the most visited one in the country, and we have every reason to believe that a memorial to where he started his life will be as big a tourist draw.”
Ronald Belford “Bon” Scott was the singer for AC/DC from 1974 until his death in 1980 aged 33, and Kirrie now hosts Bonfest in his honour every year, drawing thousands of visitors from across the world.
Local building company S&S Grewar has offered to carry out all the groundwork on the statue site for free.
The statue is scheduled to be unveiled at this year’s Bonfest, which will also mark the 10th anniversary of the music festival in Bon’s honour. The festival takes place from April 29 to May 1, with Bon’s statue unveiled on April 30.
One respondent did not approve of the statue to Bon, or the town’s annual festival in his name.
They wrote to Angus Council stating that they moved away from the town centre to escape problems associated with late-night drinking, and are dismayed to find the statue will be near their new home.
They have asked for assurances over CCTV, increased policing and late-night toilet facilities during the likes of Bonfest and the Kirrie Festival.