This summer the P+B team are delighted to be supporting the important work of Leuchie House by sponsoring our very own 6-foot hare during The Big Hare Trail! Ten beautifully designed hare's will be forming their very own trail around the town and surroundings of North Berwick. Our hare is fondly titled Hare Tae Golf and is making a cameo at the Scottish Open from the 8th-12th July. As the official vehicle partner of Scottish Open venue The Renaissance Club, our hare will feel very at home among the European Tour!
In advance of keeping an eye on the elite golfing group, we caught up with Chris Rutterford, the artist behind Hare Tae Golf:
Why did you want to get involved in The Big Hare Trail?
I was involved in painting the cow at Kyloe which was part of the Cow Trail in Edinburgh many years ago. I was given the title of Edinburgh’s top cow painter, among other titles! I've been working with my partner Lubi Lykan on many projects, which recently included the Oor Willie Trail as well as many other sculptures commissions involving fibreglass. I was very interested in creating a fun hare and also raising money for Leuchie house
Golf is so popular in East Lothian that it seemed like a no brainer. I’m also a keen golfer (but rubbish!).
Chris - where did you take inspiration from when you were designing the hare?
This hare is very much a self-portrait. I tried to take up golf years ago, but found I was too scruffy for the golf courses who had dress codes such as no jeans, shirts with collars etc and I couldn’t keep up with everyone else. So Hare To Golf reflects the opposite of a golfers formal attire - a flat cap and over-dressed 1920s style!
My golf clubs are actually in the hare – I should have sealed them in so I wouldn’t need to play golf again! They're at the only major championship that I wish I'd been able to play had I been better - so a bit of me is there in spirit!
What did you enjoy most about the process of designing Hare Tae Golf?
Enjoyed working with Lana and the team at Leuchie House throughout. They’ve been a great customer to work with. I’m extrovert/introvert and enjoyed putting on fancy dress and getting to grips with the fibre glass that we've used in this piece. We imagine it will be one of the top choices when it comes to the auction and raising even more money later on in the year.
How important is it to support the work of Leuchie House?
It's really important work that Leuchie House do. I've visited the house and they’ve let us know more about the work they do. The more money we can raise the better.
What are your 'top tips' for visitors exploring the Trail this summer?
Dress appropriately – fancy dress would be amazing! It’s a really fun day out – right in the centre of North Berwick –head to the beach after the trail and enjoy a picnic!
There’s a fantastic ice cream shop in the centre of town that we love – also an amazing pet store that our dog loves. It's a beautiful East Lothian town and if you’ve never been you’re missing out.
Find out more about the trail here.
