A metal bird sculpture feared stolen from an art exhibition in Inverness has been returned with an apology note and a £100 donation to charity, ending a case that prompted police involvement. The artwork, created by Scottish sculptor Helen Denerley and valued at around £850, disappeared from Eden Court Theatre in October.
It had been displayed as part of an exhibition linked to the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival and was due to be sold afterwards to raise money for Highland mental health charity Centred. The charity confirmed the sculpture had 'found its way home', accompanied by a note of apology and what it described as a generous donation. The person who returned it has not been publicly identified.
Sculpture Returned After Appeal
Police were called after the scrap-metal bird went missing from the exhibition. The disappearance was treated as a suspected theft, but the circumstances surrounding its removal have not been publicly explained.
The return followed an appeal for the artwork to be brought back. STV News reported that it was handed anonymously to Eden Court with an apology and £100 for Centred. The donation is separate from the sculpture's estimated value of £850.
The artwork was intended to raise funds for the charity after the exhibition. Its disappearance therefore put a planned fundraising opportunity at risk. Centred's marketing and fundraising executive, Alana Kotrys, said the organisation had chosen to respond with understanding while the sculpture was missing.
'When we first realised the bird was missing, we said that we didn't know the full story and wanted to approach the situation with kindness and understanding', she said. 'We're really pleased that things have ended this way'.
Kotrys also thanked the person who returned the bird and donated. 'Your kindness means a lot, and it's a lovely reminder that there's always room for understanding and a positive way forward', she said.
Artist Helen Denerley Welcomes Its Return
Denerley was also pleased that the sculpture had been recovered, saying the news had prompted a positive response from people she had told. 'Everyone I have told about the bird's return has had such a positive reaction', she said. 'Thank you to the person who returned it'.
The Scottish artist is known for animal sculptures made from scrap metal, including the large giraffe figures associated with Edinburgh's Leith Walk. The bird's planned sale was intended to benefit Centred, which supports people experiencing mental health difficulties in the Highlands.
The exhibition formed part of a wider festival programme using art and creative expression to encourage conversations about mental health, while allowing participating artists to support a local cause. The charity had hoped the artwork would help raise money for its work.
Apology and Donation Bring a Positive Ending
The apology note and £100 contribution have given the incident an unusual conclusion. However, neither the charity nor the artist has publicly disclosed who returned the sculpture or what prompted the apology. Reports have not explained what happened to the bird between its disappearance and return.
Centred has focused on the outcome rather than speculation, welcoming both the artwork and the donation. The return means the sculpture is no longer missing, while the contribution provides additional support for the cause it was intended to benefit.
For Denerley, the response has been heartening. For Centred, the bird's return restores a fundraising opportunity and brings an unexpected gift. The mystery of its disappearance remains unresolved, but the appeal has ended with the sculpture back where it belongs and £100 more for the charity's work after the event.
