The area surrounding the Whiteadder valley is a beautiful landscape which has inspired people for hundreds of years. The Whiteadder: Heart of the Lammermuirs project sought out a diverse range of artists who were keen to interpret the landscape in their own way.
The artists were encouraged to take their inspiration from the archaeology, historic songs, stories, ballads and rhymes, social history, architecture, as well as the area’s river and landscape. Some attended archaeological digs and site visits to inspire or focus their ideas.
Most of the artists chose to draw inspiration from nature and focus on stories with historical significance, thus creating a strong bond between people, landscape and the past. Responses range from music, drawing and contemporary art, to song, poetry and architecture. Some have been completed, are work-in-progress or are more ambitious proposals which would require funding, outwith the scope of this project. We hope that this project acts as a springboard and attracts support and funding for some of these fantastic ideas to be realised.
Here is a list of the Creative Arts proposals put forward so far:
Architecture Sketchbook
A series of architectural sketches from around the project area, by Brian Edwards.
Ballad of the Whiteadder
An instrumental piece inspired by the landscape of the area high up around the Whiteadder reservoir, by Kenny Tait.
Bondagers
Sculptural installations inspired by female agricultural workers, by Fiona McLachlan-Powell.
Bothy Project
Proposal for a bothy project located between the Southern Upland way and the Herring Road, by the landscape architect duo Sutherlandii.
Foraging Routes
A proposal for foraging routes near the riverside, by the landscape architect duo Sutherlandii.
Ghosts on the Reservoir
An art proposal to create floating sculptures on the reservoir which reflect buildings hidden under the water, by Ettie Spencer.
OOR Scintilla
Sound art pieces created from resources recorded around the river valley area, by OOR Scintilla.
Orchards
A proposal for an orchard planting scheme in the form of earthworks, by the landscape architect duo Sutherlandii.
