
A renowned artist has unveiled his latest creation in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for charity.
The Banchory Bangle will be a main raffle prize at the 30th anniversary of the Touch of Tartan Ball later this year.
Dr Malcolm Appleby has been engraving jewellery for charity for more than 40 years, with a different Banchory Bangle raffled every year.
This year’s design is a Yew Tree and was inspired by his love for nature.
Dr Appleby said: “When I was a child there was one Beech tree, two Scots Pine trees, a Hawthorn hedge and two Yew trees in my parents’ front garden.
“Near my former home, the railway station at Crathes, the formal Gardens of Crathes Castle are famous for their ancient Yew hedges which I have sketched and visited often.
“The 2017 Banchory Bangle is how I imagine the tree looked like 1,000 years ago, when it was only 4,000 years old.”
Last year’s bangle raised more than £11,000 for Children 1st and this year’s piece of jewellery has been valued at £25,000.
The winner will receive the 18ct gold bangle as well as a silver copy.
The Wee Boorachie at Milton of Crathes, outside Banchory, will once again display this year’s bangle.
Owner Mairi Bradford said: “The Wee Boorachie has displayed the bangle for many years now.
“It’s a great yearly feature in the shop and still surprises me how many people around Banchory do not know what it is or what its purpose is so I look forward to spreading the word and in turn raising as much money as possible for Children 1st this year.”
Raffle tickets cost £1 each and are available from The Wee Boorachie, Deeside Cleaners in Banchory, Taylors of Banchory, and from the Children 1st office in Aberdeen.
The winner will be picked at the Touch of Tartan Ball on Friday, November 17, at the Beach Ballroom.

Help support quality local journalism … become a digital subscriber to the Evening Express
For as little as £5.99 a month you can access all of our content, including Premium articles.
Subscribe