Plans to errect a massive landmark sculpture on the border between Scotland and England at Gretna called ‘The Star Of Caledonia’ that would be seen by 10 million people travelling past on the A74 (M) each year is hoped to still go ahead. DGWGO News spoke to Alasdair Houston, Chairman, Gretna Landmark Trust in an exclusive interview :-
Alasdair said ” The power of world class public art to regenerate and inspire may sometimes be difficult to rationalise, but it is impossible to deny.
The Star of Caledonia is our region’s opportunity to make a bold statement of our region’s ambition, energy and innovation; a 365 day a year statement of intent that will generate world wide profile.
It’s an opportunity to be a ‘first’; there is no other entry point to a country that is heralded by a similar landmark. It’s an opportunity to create a strong identifier and sense of pride of place — look at how often images of Angel of North or Kelpies are used to identify their region’s. It’s an opportunity to inspire. It’s bold and encourages us to raise our eyes and our ambition. It’s entirely normal that there should be a healthy debate about the subjective issue of the design of a large scale piece of public art like this (we can all have our own views: the Angel was very unpopular when first mooted, and then claimed as their own in no time by those who criticised it!)
The Star had no objections at planning permission stage. The Star ‘works’ on many levels. Some see it as a waveform of energy, rather like the electro magnetic waves discovered by one of our region’s most famous scientists James Clerk Maxwell. Others see it as a starburst of energy and creativity, representing the many Scots who have travelled the world and made an impact. Some see it as a fantastic great signpost to our region’s environmental art and the Dark Skies Park further west in our region. Others see it as a huge contemporary thistle!
The economic case for the Star is overwhelming. The cultural case is equally powerful. The Borderlands fund has the potential to be transformational for our region. And in these divided times the Star has the power to celebrate what our Border regions have in common and act as a powerful and visible flagship project for Borderlands. So let’s get behind our Star and ensure that our politicians local, regional and national show the leadership to get behind this world class opportunity for our region which if lost, it’s lost forever.“
Jan Hogarth, project manager for the Gretna Landmark Trust Said
“The Star of Caledonia was inspired by the great physicist James Clerk Maxwell from Parton, Castle Douglas. It celebrates place drawing from the past and looking to the future , symbolising energy, innovation and place at the historic border between Scotland and England. The Star will embody the area’s ambition and innovation in the arts and sciences.
The idea for a new landmark at Gretna originated by the Gretna areas business forum many years ago and Charles Jencks and Cecil Balmond worked collaboratively on the exciting innovative design which involved landscape and structure cleverly intertwined to communicate energy and celebrate place.
I pulled out some data on economic impact its calculated for different aspects.”
A new report concludes that The Star of Caledonia:
- — Is aligned with all relevant regional, national and cross-border strategies, and helps to deliver the objectives of all relevant stakeholders
- — Will deliver a one-off net economic impact of £2.0 million for the Borderlands (£0.98 million GVA) for the duration of the construction works.
- — Will be a high-profile flagship project generating major publicity for the area – anticipated to be worth in the region of £5 million during the first year
- — Will mean that an estimated 10 million people travelling past the site each year will benefit from a unique and international quality cultural experience
- — Will attract in the region of 100,000 visits to the site itself each year
- — Will drive additional tourism worth £4 million per year
— Provides a net economic benefit over its 50-year lifespan that outweighs the investment by 37:1. This is an excellent return on investment.
I should also say visitors spend has been calculated on £5 a head when other cultural organisations have calculated it on £25 per head. So its probably a lot higher.
Visitor Spend £ 440,000 Excl.VAT
Net impact £ 464,640 Deadweight / leakage / multiplier
GVA equivalent £ 208,136 Accommodation and food sector
Each year during 50 year lifespan
Tourism impact £ 4,000,000 a year
GVA equivalent £ 1,791,802 Accommodation and food sector a year
Building up during first few years after launch
Expressed as GVA, each pound invested in the Star, generates £16.49 GVA
