ONE of Scotland’s most loved comic characters, Oor Wullie, has been transformed into a William Morris-inspired sculpture for V&A Dundee, as part of a city-wide cultural charity project.

Abertay University graduate, video game artist, and graphic designer Ellen Brown was selected through an open competition and commissioned to create her "Strawberry Thief" design.

Inspired by the work of William Morris and her time spent working alongside V&A’s first Game Designer in Residence, Sophia George, Ellen is giving the greatly loved comic book character a makeover.

Oor Wullie’s Bucket Trail is a major public arts event that will see the streets of Dundee become the stage for 50 giant Oor Wullie sculptures throughout the summer of 2016.

vandadundee.org

MURIEL Romanes, former artistic director of Stellar Quines, is to be presented with the special CATS Whiskers Award at the Critics' Awards for Theatre in Scotland on June 12.

Stellar Quines was established in 1993 by a group of artists led by Gerda Stevenson. Romanes joined the company as a co-operative member in 1994, acting in the first production, Night Sky, and going on to become its first artistic director, a role she gave up this year.

Joyce McMillan, CATS co-convenor, said: "Stellar Quines’ aim has always been to bring the energy, experience and perspective of women centre-stage, but Muriel’s vision and determination have also been a tremendous force in Scottish theatre-making as a whole.

"Countless new plays have been staged because of her initiatives at Stellar Quines. Also, small and not so small venues across Scotland have seen live theatre – and quality live theatre at that – because Stellar Quines put them on its touring map."

The CATS Whiskers is an award recognizing an outstanding contribution to Scottish theatre. It was first awarded in 2012 and previous recipients have been David MacLennan, Vicky Featherstone, Imaginate Festival and Junction 25.

The 2016 CATS will be presented at a ceremony at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh on June 12.

criticsawards.theatrescotland.com

GUITARIST Tony McManus returns to Scotland for three concerts in July including a rare hometown appearance in Paisley. Now based in Canada, McManus has established a reputation around the world for his acoustic guitar interpretations of jigs, reels, slow airs and bagpipe tunes and has had the honour of having Paul Reed Smith, guitar maker to stars including Carlos Santana, create a signature guitar to his own specifications. He plays Bogbain Farm, Inverness on Thursday, July 7; Stonehaven Folk Festival, Saturday, July 9; and Wynd Centre, Paisley, Sunday, July 10. tonymcmanus.com