Mysterious Scottish sculptor's identity revealed but he remains refreshingly unassuming

Over the years in the Scottish coastal town of Stonehaven (Scottish Gaelic: Cala na Creige) in Aberdeenshire, a number of unsigned metal sculptures have appeared. Placed around the Bay they include a seal, Viking boat, two fishing boats, lighthouse and sea creatures. Local people have appreciated the works of art and at the same time have respected the artist's decision to remain anonymous. Now the mystery artist has revealed his identity and has spoken to BBC Scotland's arts programme Loop.

Jim Malcolm, 68, told the programme: "People have been trying to find who I am for a while now. Personally I get a bit embarrassed about it." The unassuming sculptor went on to says of his work: "It just evolves when I'm doing it. I never know what I'm doing til I'm finished." Adding "I'm nae an artist, nah, I'm just a guy that sticks metal together." In a world full of those with inflated egos his modesty is refreshing: "I make sculptures for the simple fact I enjoy doing it." On revealing his identity, he said: "What does it matter who did or didn't do it?" It is now likely that more of his skilled creations will appear unheralded just as they have done in the past, because, as he told BBC Scotland's Loop: "This will be my first and last interview."

Jim Malcolm worked much of his adult life at sea, before latterly becoming a welder before retiring three years ago. His motivation is his love of the sea and he said: "The sea to me means freedom." He has found the perfect location for his artistic expression in Stonehaven, which grew around an Iron Age fishing village and lies in the shelter of Stonehaven Bay. It is an area of historical significance with evidence of prehistoric  structures at Fetteresso Castle, Neolithic pottery found after excavations in the Spurryhillock area and a number of Iron Age ring cairns. Ring cairns are mysterious structures, thought to have been used for a number reasons, including for ceremonial and astronomic purposes.