PLANS for a shipwreck-inspired sculpture on the beach at Belhaven appear to have run aground – due to nesting birds.

However, the project could instead be moved a few miles west along the county’s coastline, to Yellowcraig.

Edinburgh-based artist Symon Macintyre, along with Nordland Visual Theatre, Stamsund, Norway, had planned to create the sculpture on the beach in August. The project, which has been called Drift, is inspired by a famous shipwreck event in the 19th century, in which Shetlander Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Mouat miraculously survived.

However, Sue Anderson, a Dunbar community councillor, had some bad news for the group recently.

She said: “I heard from [Mr Macintyre].

“The terns that nest on Belhaven Beach will prevent it from progressing there.

“They nest until August but he is considering a site at Yellowcraig to tie in with Fringe by the Sea.” Mr Macintyre was still keen to see the sculpture, which would have been be based towards the marshes, away from Belhaven, go ahead.

He said: “There are terns nesting and the only access to the bay is to go through that area.

“We cannot ship stuff in through there but I have another alternative, which is to put it on at Yellowcraig.

“We also found out about Fringe by the Sea [which takes place in August] and it might be a better way of doing this.

“It’s not so bad for me to promote it during that time and it might be better access as well.” And he stressed the plan was still very much for the sculpture to be created in the county.

On January 30, 1886, 60-year-old Betty set sail for Lerwick, the main town in Shetland, to visit a doctor and sell her knitting.

She was the only passenger on the boat Columbine, which unfortunately was hit by storms.

Two crew members managed to reach dry land but it was thought Betty was lost at sea.

However, on February 7, the Columbine was washed ashore on a beach at Lepsøy, near Ålesund, in Norway.

When she eventually returned to Shetland, Betty became something of a celebrity.

An appeal for public subscriptions to help her attracted a letter and £20 donation from Queen Victoria.