Lochend Stones Launch
https://www.facebook.com/DunbarCWG
3:00 pm - July 11, 2024
3:00 pm - July 11, 2024
Lochend Woods
Dunbar, EH42
A launch event and tour of the artworks will take place from 3pm on Thursday 11th July at the 'gathering space' in the woods at the junction of Kellie Road and Middlemas Road.
James will also be leading tours of the stones at 11am from the same place and at 1pm from Hallhill Car Park as part of the European Land Art Festival 2024.
For more information see the Dunbar Community Woodland Group Facebook page and the European Land Art Festival 2024 website.
The Lochend Stones (May the Fates Provide a Quiet Seat) are seven carved stone artworks by artist James Winnett that form a trail through Lochend Woods in Dunbar. The stones appear as curious ruins with each stone carrying a carving that draws on an historical event that has taken place nearby.
The land on which the stones reside was once part of the Barony of Lochend, a large estate that surrounded Lochend House. Part of the ruins of the original 17th century house can still be seen in the woods. This house was replaced by a 19th century mansion that itself was destroyed by fire in 1859 and of which there is no trace today.
The limestone blocks were sourced from Dunbar Quarry which lies just two miles away to the east. By gradually polishing the surface of the stones intricate details of fossil corals from over 320 million years ago were revealed, foregrounding a sense of deep time. Like the carvings these fossils have their own story to tell – one of warm, crystal-clear tropical seas when the land we now call Scotland was located to the south of the equator. Known as 'Dunbar Marble' this particular type of limestone was once quarried for use in decorative fireplaces.
The designs for the artworks were developed through a research and community engagement programme involving several stone carving workshops that took place in the woods. Workshops were also held at Dunbar Primary and Belhaven Hill Schools.
The project was developed in conjunction with Dunbar Community Woodland Group who manage the woods. It was funded by Persimmon Homes through East Lothian Council’s Percent for Art scheme. The stones were donated by Tarmac from Dunbar Cement Plant.
