Scotland: National Rural Network
Connecting Rural Scotland - Promoting Rural Growth

The Striding Arches project was funded by the previous Leader+ programme and is now finished. What were the main achievements of the project? And what are their top tips for others? Find out here.

What are the aims of your project?

Through partnership working and community engagement, the project aims were as follows:

• celebrate and interpret a little known area of Dumfries & Galloway
• create a sense of place
• offer the visitor a world-class "art and landscape" experience
• encourage informed access to the countryside and associated physical activity
• support a heightened understanding of the landscape for visitors and the surrounding communities through a visual exploration of the human and cultural history of the valley
• support community regeneration, business development and start up after the foot and mouth outbreak
• generate through tourism and marketing a heightened awareness of Dumfries & Galloway on a national and international level
• ensure that the commissioned works are of the highest quality in concept and craftsmanship

 Where is it?

Striding Arches is at Cairnhead, seven miles from the centre of Monaive in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Three arches are permanently sited on hilltops surrounding the beautiful Cairnhead Valley, the fourth arch strides through the stone bothy by the car park. In the meadow by the stone bothy, letter cutter Pip Hall's work is to be found set into the stone dyke and stone seating. Alec Finlay's poetry walk follows the Dalwhat water which flows through the valley in the 1347 hectare site. The site offers free access to all and is open all year round.

Who's involved?

Lead Artist: Andy Goldsworthy,

Principle partners: Cairnhead Community Forest Trust, Andy Goldsworthy, Forestry Commission Scotland, Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association (project management and commissioning), Solway Heritage (design consultant), Scottish Natural Heritage (environmental advice).

Artists, Alec Finlay and Pip Hall, were commissioned to do landscape interpretation work and Wee Sleekit won the tender to undertake design work including the Striding Arches website and the brochure.

How is it funded?

Funding was achieved through a variety of bodies:

• The Scottish Arts Council
• Scottish Natural Heritage
• Solway Heritage
• Leader+ (Leader+ has now been replaced by the new LEADER programme)
• Community Regeneration Fund
• Entrust Landfill Tax Credit
• The Robertson Trust
• Dumfries & Galloway Council
• Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Where did you go for help and advice?

The Striding Arches Steering Group was a source of support and advice and offered a way into the community for the artists during their research and workshop period. The Steering Group comprised members of the local communities via the Cairnhead Community Forest Trust Ltd, The Andy Goldsworthy Studio, Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association, Scottish Natural Heritage, Solway Heritage and Forestry Commission and were directly involved in the development of the project. Leader+, the Scottish Arts Council, the Roberson Trust and Dumfries and Galloway Council also supported with funding and advice when required.

What's been your greatest achievement so far?

Due to the complexity and many strands to the project, I would like to highlight four achievements:

• A successful fusion of art in the landscape where the art is sensitive to the environment and works with the landscape not against it
• National and international coverage of the project, interest of the cultural tourism sector in Andy Goldsworthy's work
• Good visitor numbers and increased business for tourist-based businesses in the area. A marked increase in visitor numbers to studios in Moniaive during Spring Fling Open Studio weekend which could be attributed in part to the increased awareness of the area due to the Striding Arches brochure and marketing campaign

• The continued engagement with the site by the community who have already instigated a children's concert and an event during the folk festival and have other events during the year planned

And the biggest challenge?

Achieving a balance between community needs, artistic integrity, and tourism regeneration opportunities. Achieving permission for brown tourist signs to Striding Arches from Moniaive and key roads into Dumfries is proving our greatest challenge.

Any tips for someone setting up a similar project?

You and your partners must be utterly committed to the project. Set up a steering group which has a balance of knowledge and skills to create a dynamic project team. It is often the commitment of individuals who represent organisations or communities who make projects happen and there is no room for "non believers" on a project team.

 More info

Website link: http://www.stridingarches.com/

You can watch a video from the Dumfries and Galloway Standard on the launch of the Striding Arches below: