“Then one day the warmth of the sun was blotted out and they looked up to see two huge birds fighting in the sky. Like giant eagles they tumbled, wheeled and spun in the air until one of the creatures broke away and tumbled towards them. As it grew closer to the ground they saw it was not a bird but a giant man with great wings strapped to his back. When he hit the ground the earth trembled, his wings smashed to pieces, and the populace fled and hid in terror.
“Then, driven by curiosity, they ventured out to look at this Big Man. They saw he needed their help and they looked after him, gave him water and food.
“In return for their hospitality he helped clear the land of the giant boulders, throwing them into the sea to create islands. He carved out inlets with his bare hands so they could shelter their fishing boats and he chased the nightmare beasts from the forests.
“Gradually he recovered his strength and walked the land recovering the scattered pieces of his shattered wings to rebuild them.
“Finally he was ready, he tied his pinions to his back and with a great beat of air flew into the sky and was gone.
“At first people were sad and missed him, but when they looked around and saw their fields cleared of boulders, the forests safe to hunt in and sheltered havens for their fishing boats. They realised that this was now a land in which they could live and thrive.
“The wisest of them even suggested that the Big Man would return to see the country he had helped create. They promised that when he came back he would be welcomed with great celebrations. They wanted the communities to gather together to show him what had been achieved in his absence. These storytellers became The Guild of Watchers, who now await his return..."
We arrived on the Whitesands just in time to see the Big Man rounding the corner from Buccleuch Street. As you can see, the sole support came from a Manitou, with its arm fully extended. 
All his movements were controlled by puppeteers on the ground. The walking action was utterly perfect.
He was proceeded by a cart of scrolls and two bicycle-mounted "timepieces", which also housed four spotlights, explaining his phenomenal colour on the dullest of days.
This is Bank Street, which is incredibly narrow. We were lucky enough to be in the right doorway for the petal shower.
He then rested on a giant wooden stool in the High Street, and was entertained by the people of Dumfries.
I can't properly describe how magical I found the whole event; it was a dreek day and I was a bit poorly, but it was all just simply splendid and unexpectedly good, even the hard-edged Clannad-esque soundtrack that accompanied him when walking.
where you can read or download some fabulous illustrated booklets of The Myth of The Big Man for free! I have done so, and they are quite lovely.
And if you live in Scotland, the Big Man could be walking to your town next...
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