A carved Clydesdale horse statue to commemorate the farming, agricultural and blacksmith history of an Aberdeenshire village has been unveiled.

Cut from a piece of granite from the Craigenlow Quarry in Dunecht, the Elrick memorial is situated in the grounds of the Hampton by Hilton Hotel.

More than 10ft and weighing 20 tonnes, the artwork has been created by Aberdeenshire-born artist Bruce Walker to celebrate the village.

The sculpture is engraved with Doric verse and tells the story of local businesses and craftsmanship from more than 100 years ago.

Broadcaster and author Robbie Shepherd joined members of local heritage societies and school pupils at a special ceremony on Wednesday.

Shepherd said: "I am delighted to be asked to unveil this magnificent sculpture here at Elrick as a lasting legacy of what was a vibrant way of village life.

"Born and brought up in Dunecht, the son of the village souter, I can well appreciate the role played by local craftsmen and women over the years.

"The Clydesdale horse symbolises our agricultural past and an important focus of rural life in my young day, something that must be preserved."