PC Murdoch returns to the Capital

One of Scotland’s most beloved bobbies has returned home to Edinburgh after travelling around the country as part of Oor Wullie’s BIG Bucket Trail.  

PC Murdoch – a mini Oor Wullie sculpture painted in the style of the comic strip constable – has been on a tour of all of Police Scotland’s 13 regional divisions this summer in recognition of the work carried out by Scotland’s children’s hospital charities.  

The special sculpture visited all five Scottish cities taking part in the charity trail, before returning to Edinburgh just in time for Oor Wullie’s BIG Farewell Weekend at St Andrew Square, which took place from 13-15 September.  

Community Policing Inspector Bob Innes said: “We’re proud to be involved in this event and everyone has really enjoyed spotting the other Oor Wullie sculptures around Edinburgh this summer.  

“It’s been great to see our residents and visitors of the city sharing their fun photos online as they follow the trail around Scotland. Oor Wullie’s PC Murdoch joined us in Edinburgh recently during his tour of the country and spent time out and about with local officers.  

“The Farewell Weekend event at St Andrew Square was an amazing opportunity to see all of the big and small statues from the Edinburgh trail in one place before they’re auctioned off next week to raise funds for Scotland’s children’s hospital charities.”

A total of 200 life-sized Oor Wullie sculptures were installed around Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Inverness as part of the trail, as well as a further 350 miniature versions decorated by school pupils.  

The Edinburgh auction takes place tomorrow (Thursday 19 September) at Prestonfield House, with all 60 sculptures from the city going under the hammer to raise funds for Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC).  

Roslyn Neely, CEO of ECHC, said: “We would like to say an enormous thank you to Police Scotland for their efforts and kindness in supporting Oor Wullie’s BIG Bucket Trail.

It has been wonderful to follow PC Murdoch’s adventures this summer and we’re glad he has now safely returned to his forever home in Edinburgh.  

“Thanks to this project and the funds it will raise, we are able to continue the vital work we do in supporting children, young people and their families to have a positive hospital experience.”  

ECHC believes that nothing should get in the way of being a child and works to make sure children and young people’s lives are less interrupted by illness. It distributes around £1.5 million per year to support the RHSC and other children’s healthcare settings across Scotland.     

For more information or to donate, visit https://echcharity.org/