Bench in memory of Frightened Rabbit frontman to be unveiled

A bench in memory of Frightened Rabbit frontman Scott Hutchinson is set to be unveiled in his hometown.

Scott, who was founder and songwriter of the indie rock band, took his own life in 2018 aged 36.

The bench will be unveiled in the grounds of a stately home in Selkirk, Scottish Borders, where he grew up.

It was made by three trainee female carpenters, and was crowdfunded by fans.

The oak bench has the words ‘While I’m alive, I’ll make tiny changes to the earth’, from the Frightened Rabbit song Head Rolls Off.

A memorial bench was previously installed in Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow.

The new bench will be installed at the Haining, a former stately home given over to the public and now used as an arts centre and venue on Saturday.

Ade Cartwright, who led the fundraising campaign, said: “The money raised by Scott’s fans placed the bench in Glasgow, but we wanted to do something a bit more personal for the folk of Selkirk.

“It’s been designed and built by three young girls, all Frightened Rabbit fans, who are starting out on their carpentry careers.

“We paid for some tools and training.

“One of the girls has now been offered a traineeship in the film industry and starts work on her new movie soon.

“They’ve done an amazing job, it is a thing of beauty, using some of the wood from the Haining when it was recently landscaped and spruced up.

“The Haining was a perfect match for Scott’s bench.

“Both have the same values when comes to the arts, it couldn’t really be placed anywhere else.

“This bench is for all those out there who have been touched by Scott’s lyrics and music, his humour and humanity.

“It’s a place to put the headphones on and listen to his music and take a deep breath of fresh air, a place to sit down and have a good catch-up with friends, a place to celebrate Scott’s life and what he means to all of us.

“Also, to just rest your weary legs, it’s a fair trek.

“Scott was known for supporting and championing fellow musicians and advocating mental health charities, knowing how important help is for people like us, for people like him.”

A charity named Tiny Changes was set up in Scott’s memory.

John Nichol of The Haining Charitable Trust, said: “The trust is delighted to see the installation of a beautifully-crafted wooden bench in memory of Selkirk lad, Scott Hutchison.

“Thomas Riddell builders have been hard at work at the far end of the loch preparing the space.”