THE An Talla Solais visual arts centre and gallery in Ullapool has unveiled its new display – a miniature army of tiny terracotta warriors.  The pocket-sized clay figures which make up the 200-strong troop were created by young and old at community drop-in sessions and care homes in the past month.

A full-size replica Chinese army general which stands guard in the foyer at Ullapool High School after pupils visited China served as inspiration.  From tomorrow onwards, the warriors will be on sale in the gallery to raise funds for An Talla Solais’s Dolphin Project – a six-month pilot programme run by artists and volunteers which organises community support schemes such as assisting those affected by dementia.

Anne-Marie Quinn, artist co-ordinator for the Dolphin Project, said: “The Tiny Terracotta Army is a beautiful symbol of a community, full of individual characters, all standing together in support of people made vulnerable by dementia.

“The ‘army’ reinforces a message that is more hopeful – that creative activity connects, stimulates and inspires people of all ages.

"The characters are  a rallying call, celebrating a pilot project that seeks to establish an ongoing programme of creative activity for people living with dementia in Ullapool."