USUALLY, it would be 12 drummers drumming but Haddington has ‘goat’ its own idea ahead of the festive season.

A dozen fibreglass goats will be dotted around the town in the run-up to Christmas.

Haddington will become home to its very own Goat Trail, with members of the public being urged to come up with ideas on how to suitably decorate them.

MADE in East Lothian is behind the scheme, which takes inspiration from the town’s emblem.

Fiona Maher and Fiona Lambert, from the group, which is based on the town’s Hardgate, said: “As part of our business at the hub, we have been involved in community initiatives.

“Blooming Haddington did the wheelbarrow trail last year and we were thinking about ways that we could get the community involved in something artistic.

“It is an idea we have been floating about for a while and we did a bit of research to see if we could get our hands on the objects that we require, found a supplier and then applied for funding.”

MADE in Haddington has been working alongside Haddington Business Community Partnership and was hopeful organisations and groups would come forward to decorate the creatures, which measure about 80cm by 80cm by 30cm.

Funding for the Goat Trail has been given by Haddington and Lammermuir Area Partnership.

Now, both Fiona Maher and Fiona Lambert are looking for people to help spruce up the fibreglass creatures, which can be seen in the hub’s window.

They said: “The closing date for entries is Friday, September 18, at 4pm.

“Entries will be judged by a selected panel and winners will be given a month to complete their goat project. We plan to have the goats out and about in the town in the run-up to the festive season, but don’t just think tinsel when coming up with your designs – we’re looking for creativity and flair.

“If it all goes well, the goats will be auctioned off to help support a further community-based project.”

Anyone looking to find out more can pop into MADE in East Lothian’s hub from 11am to 4pm, Wednesday to Saturday, or email madeineastlothian@gmail.com

East Lothian Courier:

The town’s connection with the goat as a symbol dates back hundreds of years and the animal features on the town’s coat-of-arms. A goat sits on top of the Mercat Cross on High Street, while a statue of the creatures has also been created to the rear of the former George Hotel (see image above).