Part of the company’s 2023 Clan Cancer Support Big Hop Trail sponsorship its Pictish Hare has been painted by Aberdeenshire artist Lucy Jean Thomson.

A fabulous piece of artwork, it is inspired by the endurance which hares show in living in the challenging Aberdeenshire environment and the way the Picts, who were native to northern Scotland in Roman times, revered creatures which were important to them by integrating them into stone carvings.

In addition to this, the company also today announces that Bancon Group employees have voted Isla Jones as the winner of the P5 Hill of Banchory Primary School Moongazer Leveret Design Competition.

The design, which is called No Place Like Home, shows how homes mean different things to different people, but above all how they are where our hearts are, and where we each want to feel cared for, safe and calm. The finished sculpture can be viewed at Milton Art Gallery, Milton of Crathes, Banchory.

The Clan Cancer Support Big Hop Trail runs from 2 July to 3 September and is a public art event which takes the public on a cultural tour of the north-east and the islands, with hare sculptures designed and created by some of the country’s most talented artists.

The trail coincides with Clan’s 40th anniversary, with the 40 hares being the focal point to celebrate the charity’s commitment to supporting people affected by cancer.

John Irvine, Bancon Group CEO, said: “Thank you to both artist Lucy Jean Thomson and to Isla Jones on creating these incredible sculptures. We are very proud to sponsor the Clan Cancer Support Big Hop Trail and hope that they will not only provide a lot of pleasure to the Banchory Community but will also raise much needed funds for charity.”

Adding to this Deborah Burr, head teacher at Hill of Banchory School, added: “Our P5 pupils were so excited to be part of this competition and the result is a fantastic piece of artwork. Congratulations to Isla and thank you to Bancon Group employees for their enthusiasm and support of our pupils and their project – it has been a pleasure to work with them. We hope that people will take the time to visit Milton Art Gallery to see our leveret for themselves.”