JOHN Muir’s birthday could be marked by the unveiling of a huge sculpture of a bear.

Permission for the 16ft-tall bear was finally given in October last year, with the work of art set to be in place in the spring.

Renowned Scottish artist Andy Scott, responsible for the Kelpies, near Falkirk, has created the sculpture in tribute to Dunbar-born Muir, who went on to play a key role in the formation of the US national park system.

The sculpture will be sited off the A1, near to Dunbar’s McDonald’s and Asda, and was selected by Hallhill Development Ltd.

The developer has been involved in the construction of more than 500 houses in the south of the town and the statue has been created through the Percent for Art Scheme, which is a condition of planning consent.

Ken Ross, from Hallhill Development Ltd, stressed there was not “an exact date as yet” but discussions were ongoing and the bear could be in place by April 21 – Muir’s birthday.