Sculpture Trail Launched at Blair Castle

 

The team at Blair Castle are delighted to announce the launch of a new sculpture trail in the historic castle gardens. The Sculpture Trail incorporates existing contemporary and 18th century sculpture as well as eight new works, letter-carving on stone, from the Memorial Arts Charity’s Art and Memory Collection. Visitors are warmly invited to come along on Saturday 8 May for a range of special launch day activities including a demonstration of letter-cutting techniques, light refreshments in the walled Hercules Garden, with music from the Tunnell Trust for Young Musicians, before the official opening by Harriet Frazer, Founder of the Memorial Arts Charity. Activities begin at 10am with the official opening taking place in the Hercules Garden at 2.30pm.

The seven new works from the Memorial Arts Charity Art and Memory Collection are magnificent examples of the professional craft of letter-carving in stone. The works include Gillian Forbes 'Three Hares', Andrew Baxter’s 'It is the Destruction of the World' and Charlotte Howarth’s 'Remember Me'. The materials used range from Welsh Slate and Woodkirk Buff Sandstone to Caithness Flagstones and Kilkenny Limestone. The sculptures have been strategically placed in the castle’s gardens and grounds at St Brides Kirk, on Hercules Walk and inside the 9 acre walled Hercules Garden. They join many other pieces of 18th century and contemporary sculpture in the permanent collection of the Blair Charitable Trust. The sculpture trail will form a delightful 40 minute walk starting at Hercules Walk. It will then pass through Hercules Garden before winding its way on to St Brides Kirk and the peaceful woodland of Diana’s Grove. Following the launch day, the Sculpture Trail will remain in place permanently for the pleasure of future visitors to Blair Castle.

The Sculpture Trail Launch Day activities on Saturday 8 May are free as part of standard Gardens admission. Gardens admission costs £4.75 for Adults/Senior Citizens and £2.25 for Children. A Family Ticket (admits 2 Adults and 3 Children) costs £11. Blair Castle and gardens are open daily, 9.30am to 5.30pm until 29 October 2010. For further information please contact Blair Castle on 01796 481207 or visit www.blair-castle.co.uk.