ekosgen have been appointed by Star of Caledonia Trust to conduct research with the Dumfries and Galloway Community, to help understand the demand for certain activities at the proposed Star of Caledonia and accompanying Visitor Hub.
A spokesperson from ekosgen stated “As part of the wider Growth Company Insight group, we are a purpose-driven social enterprise that offers clients a broad and deep service offer, including working with clients to promote place, and develop tourism and destination propositions and strategies.
If you are not aware of the project, the Star of Caledonia is a large scale (approx. 33m, i.e. taller than Angel of the North) land art sculpture designed by Cecil Balmond, that is planned to be constructed along the A74(M) near the Old Blacksmith’s Shop at Gretna Green. The Star will act as a metaphor for the dynamism of Scotland, symbolising the energy and power of Scottish invention, in particular leaning on Dumfries and Galloway-native James Clerk Maxwell’s discovery of electromagnetism in the design of the Star. Set within a biodiverse landscape, the Star of Caledonia will be a new regional, national and international cultural landmark and visitor destination for Scotland at Gretna Green.
The Star will be supported by a new Visitor and Education Hub that celebrates Scottish invention and promotes the best of the region. Star of Caledonia will form a new destination and stopping point, encouraging visitors to explore the region’s natural and cultural heritage. Taken together with the sculpture, the Star of Caledonia will form a new destination and stopping point, encouraging visitors to explore the region’s natural and cultural heritage. Both the planned Star sculpture and supporting Visitor Hub are shown in the provided image, to provide a holistic overview of the site.
It is anticipated that construction will commence in 2025, with the initial progamme of work to be completed in 2027. When the Star of Caledonia is complete, the destination will act as a celebration of Scotland, its people and their contribution to our world, a visitor attraction encouraging travellers to explore southern Scotland, an active landscape and community resource and a cultural catalyst for economic regeneration.
As part of the wider research we are completing, we have developed a survey to explore what would be of interest to tourists and local visitors, local businesses, community groups and education providers at the Star. We are particularly keen to hear the views of residents local to the area on what would be a valuable addition for the local community and residents at the Star.”
The link to the survey can be found here and will be live until Friday 8th November
We have also attached a QR code if that is your preferred format for use.
