Environmental Art Holidays
Dumfries & Galloway has a growing reputation in the art world for its amazing collection of environmental art to be found throughout the region. These art works explore and celebrate our rich landscape.
Quorum in the Galloway Forest ParkIn the Galloway Forest Park a piece of art by Colin Rose named Eye is covered with a mosaic of small pieces of stone while near the Grey Mare’s Tail burn, is Matt Baker’s Quorum carvings of stone heads.
Other examples of sculptor Matt Baker’s work can be seen in places as diverse as Cairnsmore National Nature Reserve, where a series of five sculptures have been placed in various locations, and in the centre of the port town of Stranraer. A series of colour postcards of each of the sculptures is available at the nature reserve but the exact location is not given, making finding them part of the fun while enjoying a countryside walk complete with fascinating bird life and flora.
The Eye at the Black LochOf course, art in the environment is nothing knew. The region boasts many examples of ancient rock carving known as ‘cup and ring carving’ which, estimated to be around 4000 - 5000 years old, dates them to the Neolithic and Bronze ages. These carvings were created using a pointed tool and are often to be found near cairns and burial mounds, on standing stones and at stone circles and on outcrop rock.
A new piece of environmental art has been commissioned to celebrate the border crossing into Scotland at Gretna. Artist Cecil Balmond will work with internationally renowned architectural critic, land artist and designer Charles Jencks to create an ambitious large scale project of integrated sculptural form and landscape. It is hoped the Star of Caledonia will be ready by 2014 when Scotland hosts the Commonwealth Games
At Galloway Holidays we use our knowledge of these places and others to design a holiday to suit your environmental art interests or combine with other activities during your break.
Itineraries
Environmental Art Trail - 2 days self-guided tour - Ref. EA1
- Cost - from £125 p.p.
Includes - 2 nights 4 star B&B (assuming 2 sharing a double / twin room); welcome meeting with tour info pack provided.
Itinerary
The route we provide allows you to take your own car and visit some of the jewels in the crown of Dumfries and Galloway's Environmental Art and Sculpture scene.
One your first day you head into the hills to Glenkiln reservoir where we provide the route information to take a peaceful walk around the various hillside sculptures mentioned above. Moving on, we advise on a favourite organic tea room either before or after visiting Andy Goldsworthy's famous Striding Arches, again in a peaceful location at the top of a Scottish glen.
The next day is less energetic beginning with a visit to Threave Sculpture Garden either by a short walk beside Carlingwark Loch from Castle Douglas or by car. You have the option to visit the Galloway Forest Park to see the Quorum carvings and the Eye structure beside the Black Loch or an unusual sculpture garden beside the coast using driftwood and stones from the beach.
Both routes pass through scenic countryside visiting small towns and villages and other places of interest.
Accommodation not provided after the tour today but can be arranged at extra cost.
We will soon have other Itineraries for this section in place for 2012.
Environmental Art Trail - 2 days Guided tour - Ref. EA2
- Cost - from £195 p.p.
An Andy Goldsworthy piece of Environmental ArtItinerary
From your accommodation we travel on a scenic route to visit the places mentioned on Tour AC1 above.
We guide you round the Glenkiln Sculptures before moving on and an extra visit through a farm to see little known Andy Goldsworthy scultptures. The scenery around the upper Cairn Valley is breathtaking. We are flexible to ensure you visit the organic tea room/restaurant for lunch which is provided in the tour cost. After Striding Arches there are several options to get back to Castle Douglas including one involving a visit to the only clogmaker in Scotland and a community arts centre.
In the afternoon we arrive in Kirkcudbright, themed as an artists town, with several art galleries and studios to explore at your leisure. We have a private visit to a studio with artist. On return to Castle Douglas, a visit to Sulwath brewery or nearby tea room ends your day.
The next day we are flexible to head to the Galloway Forest Park and the sculptures mentioned above or have less driving and visit Threave Sculpture Garden, Kirkcudbright artsists town including town sculptures and be flexible to visit other places we know about.
Environmental Art Trail - 2 days Tailor Made Guided Tour - Ref. EA3
- Cost - from £225 p.p.
Includes - 2 nights 4 star B&B (assuming 2 sharing a double / twin room); lunch each day; welcome meeting with tour info pack provided.
Itinerary
From the wealth of Enviortonmental Art venues in Dumfries and Galloway, we are able to research and design a guided tour to suit your specific interests.
There are many examples of environmental art in Galloway, many of which we know about e.g. a day alone can be taken visiting Andy Goldworthy sculptures.
The Garden of Cosmic Speculation designed by Charles Jenks is a stunning example of environmental art. There is an Open Day in May each year.
You may also wish to coincide your visit with annual Spring Fling event at the end of May or Kirkcudbright Arts and Crafts Trail weekend at the end of July.
Just let us know what you are most interested in and with consultation if necessary, we will provide a 2 day or longer itinerary for your consideration which can be part or fully guided.
Please contact us to discuss this tour.
