Kirkwall BID launches March of the Penguins – a Free Festive Trail
A Statement from Kirkwall BID, Tuesday 24th November 2020
This December, Kirkwall BID are asking members of the public to help track down 20 life-size model penguins hiding in windows of businesses across the Mainland.
These beautiful, peedie-plastic-brick models include 19 Rockhopper penguins and one Emperor penguin, all originating in Antarctica. The skilled builders of BRICKLIVE have made sure that no detail has been missed in recreating these characterful birds.
The penguins will be marching into Orkney for a three-part tour, starting in the West Mainland from 1st to 7th December. From 9th to 15th December they’ll be in the East Mainland, South Isles and St Ola, including the outskirts of Kirkwall. Then, from 17th to 31st December, they’ll will finish their march in the Kirkwall BID area.
Participating businesses will have hunt forms available, and they can also be downloaded from the Kirkwall BID website.
The more penguins you find, the better the prize draw. Most exciting is a 128GB Apple iPad, and everyone who tracks down all 20 penguins will be entered into the draw for that star prize. No matter how many penguin names you find, you’ll be entered into a draw to win a Kirkwall Gift Card. So it’s well worth entering, even if you don’t track down all 20.
You can hunt the penguins in your own local area and enter one form. Or you can go out and about and fill in a form for two or even all three areas if you want. You might discover some new favourite businesses while you’re looking!
Laura Bruce, project manager for the BID & Beyond scheme explained, “We’re delighted to be able to offer this festive attraction to businesses across Orkney who signed up to BID & Beyond. This project is providing extra support for Kirkwall businesses this winter, and also reaching out beyond BID’s usual area.
“There are many great businesses across Orkney that are ready to welcome you: shops, takeaways, cafes, garages, hotels and more. They all need our support over winter. If you’re nervous about going inside, all penguins will be visible in windows. But all businesses have made great efforts to make a visit safe, so why not pop in while out penguin hunting, and support them whilst having a fun day out.”
“On display alongside each penguin will be a fact sheet including how many bricks were used in the builds, how many hours they took, and other fun facts, which we hope will add to the experience for penguin hunters of all ages, adults as well as youngsters.
“There is one other special penguin you might see out and about – Kirkwall BID’s own more-than-life-size Penny the Penguin. Say hello if you see her!”
Special thanks to Northwards LTD for sponsoring the Penguins' journey! As well as Business Gateway Orkney and Visit Scotland for funding support.
