by Larry D. Harvey

I have written many articles covering a variety of topics. However, the stories I especially wanted to tell were those concerning the statues of Skye terriers and the people behind their creations. In addition, if those statues represented actual Skyes, I wanted to speak to them and their owners.

For a long time, I’ve wanted to tell the story of the statue of two Skye terriers – one prick-ear and one drop-ear – called “The Homecoming” which, since July 2014, has occupied a place of honor on the grounds of the Armadale Castle at Sleat on the Isle of Skye. Unfortunately, the research that I undertook left me wanting since most of what I could find were newspaper articles covering the statue’s installation, but next to nothing about its history before that installation. Stumped, I contacted The Skye Terrier Club (STC) in the United Kingdom, eventually reaching Cathie McLeod, a committee person for the STC and an Honorary Secretary for the Scottish Branch of the STC. I asked if she or someone else in the organization could provide the information I desired. The fact is, if I wasn’t able to obtain information about the early efforts, I would have no story to tell and, therefore, nothing to publish. Thankfully and with great appreciation, Cathie emailed me stating she would see what she could dig up.

Well, what she “dug up” was an essay previously written by her husband, George, that not only details everything I wanted but wrote it so beautifully I felt it would be a sin to pick it apart in order to create something of my own. Instead, I asked permission to submit for publication his work in its entirety. What follows is that essay by George McLeod.

NOTE: For the past several years in September, Skye terriers and their owners have gathered on the grounds of Armadale Castle for a three-day weekend of comradery and fun. Called “Skyes on Skye,” it includes welcoming events; a Championship show, including a non-show exhibitor Skye Terrier Parade; dog-related stalls from local businesses on Skye, a raffle and special cake raffle; an evening buffet meal with an exclusive auction of Skye memorabilia; a Greyfriars Bobby memorial walk and treasure hunt at the castle; and a gathering at The Homecoming statue.
© 2023

The Homecoming

by George McLeod

We waited patiently that morning on the lawn in front of the castle. The weather was hot, almost unbearably so, with blue skies and not a cloud, everyone trying to escape the baking heat of the sun in the shadow of the trees, and only an occasional bark betraying the fact that over forty Skye Terriers had come home to the island of their origin.

All week, people had been travelling from the farthest parts of the UK to this remote location, and even one from across the Atlantic. Before that: so many months of planning, letter writing, emails, meetings, all preparing for this one special day.

And then, through the already sultry morning, we heard the clattering of the helicopter, bearing its royal passenger, and heralding the start of what was to be an historic day.

The journey had started around three years earlier, at a question and answer session following the Skye Terrier Club Championship Show, on Skye, in 2011. Amanda Anderson, from Belfast and proud owner of a Skye Terrier called Annie, had explained that she had seen few indications on the island of the existence of its native terriers, not even cards in the shops. She asked if we could consider putting a statue on the island to remind everyone of the “heavenly breed.”

If everyone thought this was a wonderful idea, I suspect that most dismissed it as fanciful and unrealistic. But we have a breed with dwindling numbers and apparently little awareness of it in the public eye. Surely a statue would be a very effective way of raising the profile of the breed.

So, gradually, the idea grew into something much more practical. The sculptor, Georgie Welch, came forward, having considerable experience in both equine and canine bronzes; she has even done work for Her Majesty the Queen. But could she really portray the uniqueness of the Skye Terrier and, more importantly, how could we fund such an ambitious project?

It was Georgie who suggested that if the final sculpture would be life size, then she could first produce a limited number of maquettes. These would be miniatures of the real thing, cast in bronze or resin, and would be sold to help fund for the project. The plan was taking shape and the Club took the decision to commission the sculpture.

The final design became two Skye Terriers, a male drop ear and a bitch prick ear, moving forward, coming home after a day on the hill. And so the title for the sculpture was born: The Homecoming.

It was clear, early in the project, that to have maximum impact, the unveiling would need to be carried out by someone with sufficient status but also with sympathy for our objectives. After consideration, the Princess Royal seemed to be a good choice. But would she be willing, and, arguably with the next busiest diary to the Queen, would a date be able to be found?

Having set a date, with the additional difficulty that we could not reveal who it was until much later, the clock was then ticking to complete the sculpture and have it cast. The maquettes were cast first and we are grateful to many who stepped forward to buy this unique piece and make the whole project possible. The clay model got its first outing last year at the Gatcombe Horse Trials. But these were early days, and there was still much work to do.

Meanwhile, a suitable location had to be found for the statue on the island. Various options were considered, including near the iconic bridge and in Portree, in the north of the island.

Skye Terriers and their humans in front of Armadale Castle

In the end, it was decided, with the agreement of Clan Donald Skye, that it should be sited in the grounds of Armadale Castle. This already has a large number of visitors every year and also hosts the Museum of the Isles. The Museum has since proved an admirable showcase for the Greyfriars Bobby plaster cast and for the Sandoz sculptures. The viewpoint, looking out to the bay and just below the castle, has proved the ideal location for the statue.

Skye Terriers and their humans in front of Armadale Castle The project would not have succeeded, of course, without the efforts of so many people to raise funds. Every little helped and the sponsored walk through Skye last May, including the dogs, not only brought in much needed funds but also helped to raise the profile of the breed with coverage in the national press and on the BBC.

The bronze was eventually cast by the Pangolin Foundry, who specialize in this type of artwork, and it was carefully transported up to Skye, arriving just the Monday before the unveiling date. Earlier in the year, Leith’s, the Aberdeen based quarry company, had generously agreed to provide a suitable stone as a plinth. The stone was picked out from the Torrin Quarry on Skye, by the stonemason, Joel Franklyn, who then worked closely with Georgie to install the sculpture at the viewpoint.

The original plaster cast of Greyfriars Bobby

With the sound of the helicopter, the sense of anticipation heightened for the hundred or so Skye Terrier lovers and their dogs, as they started to assemble in their allotted places on the lawn. It would not be possible for the Princess Royal to meet everybody personally, so after an initial line up, including Amanda and our Chair, Jenny Kendrick, groups were formed of those who had taken part in last year’s sponsored walk, those who supported them, and lastly a number of major sponsors.

But we had to wait a little longer as the Princess had other places to visit first. She started at the Museum, where she was shown the original Greyfriars Bobby plaster cast, and the unique Sandoz Skye Terrier sculptures only recently put on display. Leaving the museum, the Princess was escorted by Sine Threlfall down to the castle.

The Princess Royal received a posy from Isla Hyslop

After speaking with representatives of the local Community Trust, the Princess then met children from the local Primary School, with their teacher, Hazel Morrison. Sine and her young Skye, Thor, had visited the school earlier, and the youngsters had all drawn pictures of Skye Terriers which were much admired by the Princess. The children had also suggested names for the two dogs on the statue. The winning name in Gaelic for the male drop ear was Dileas (pronounced “Jeelus” and meaning “faithful”) and, for the female, Ceò (pronounced “Kheaw” and meaning “misty”).

The Princess then emerged into the heat of the day and met with the line-up and the groups. She took her time, showing a real interest in the Club, speaking to the dogs, and gradually working her way across the lawn to the statue, still hidden under a blue satin cloth, bordered with Isle of Skye tartan. As she did so,
our piper, Alistair Mackay played a number of tunes, including one especially composed for the occasion.

We all gathered around the statue, the sculptor Georgie spoke briefly and then came that magical moment when the Princess carefully removed the veil. The Club Patron, Christian Landolt, visibly moved by the occasion, said a few words of thanks to the Princess and presented her with a bronze maquette of the statue. The Princess then made her way back up across the lawn to the castle and, despite worried looks by her aides at their watches, she took the time to speak with guests and finally, having met the piper and received a copy of the Skye Terriers’ Homecoming tune, she was driven away, on time.

Top painting from the older children

Thanks to a generous donation, the Club was able to provide hospitality at no cost to those who had made the journey to be present at this historic occasion. Before lunch, the Skye Terrier was toasted with a glass of prosecco, but not before thanks were expressed by the Chair, Jenny Kendrick, and a presentation made to Cathie McLeod and Margaret Samuel for all their efforts in making the day such a success. An excellent buffet lunch was laid on by the Duisdale Hotel within a
marquee which afforded some protection from the baking sun. Others found seats under the trees next to the dog crèche which was ably managed Top painting from the older children by locals, Georgie and Fionn.

Local Skye Terrier, Thor, promises to visit and look after his friends Ceo and Dileas

After lunch, many took the opportunity to go back down to the statue and just enjoy being there, sitting on the plinth, introducing their dogs to the statue and taking photographs. Some took part in the organised treasure hunt and afternoon tea was available at the Stables restaurant. Later, there was a showing of the original Greyfriars Bobby film – not the one with the “Westie”!

The day finished with a barbecue and a Skye Terrier themed quiz. Georgie Welch was thanked and presented with a copy of Sine’s book.

Everyone was sad to leave but all agreed that, if at all possible, they would be back.