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Stories in stone
A new art site in Scotland has uncovered stories of migration and Scottish heritage.

The series of striding stone arches, at Cairnhead Forest in Dumfries and Galloway, have been created by environmental artist, Andy Goldsworthy. The 37 tonne arches, made from blocks of local red sandstone, tell the story of the surrounding landscape, its geology and its human history, as well as tales of migration by the Scots across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World.

Other arches made of Dumfriesshire sandstone by Goldsworthy stand in Canada, the United States and New Zealand, echoing the travels of emigrating Scots during the last 200 years or so, and of the sandstone carried as ballast by timber ships making the return voyage to North America.

“The stone is a potent symbol of the Scots who went abroad,” said Goldsworthy. “Of the tremendous upheaval they made, or were forced to make, when they left. I would hope that collectively these arches are a celebration and monument to the Scottish people and the travels they have made, and that they will act as a connection between those who have left and those who have stayed here.” Rare exhibits Aunique exhibition of portraits from The Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh will be on show in London this autumn. More than 40 paintings and photographs from the Gallery's permanent collection, many of which have never been on show in London before, will go on show at the Fleming Collection from 15 September ...

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• By : Sally Toms
• In : News
• Issue : 46
• Page : 8
• Words : 1,465