Star of Caledonia at Gretna: Border artwork divides opinion

The designs for a landmark artwork near the Scotland-England border has divided opinion after the plans were revealed last week.

Standing 33m (108ft) high, the £10m Star of Caledonia hopes to attract up to 250,000 visitors a year to the Gretna Green area.

If it secures planning permission it is hoped the giant winding sculpture – complete with illuminated spikes – could be open to the public by 2027.

BBC Scotland News readers have been delivering their verdicts on the plans.

Liz Chasey, from Aberdeenshire, was among those in favour of the proposals.

“I think the star is a wonderful way to celebrate the diversity of nations within the UK,” she said.

“Transitioning from one country to another should be marked by a significant monument, plus large public sculptures are exciting and so capture the public’s imagination.”

However, Gavin Whittaker from the Borders, who lives closer to the proposed site of the structure, was less impressed.

“Truly awful sculpture,” he said.

“I’m so tired of having ever larger sculptures and so-called ‘art’ imposed on our landscapes, particularly when they come with lighting to draw your attention at night.

“For me, it’s very simple: if I want to see art I can go to a gallery, what I don’t want is having it foisted on me.”

For former Borders resident Phil Hawes who now lives it Norfolk, it was more a question of priorities.

“I’m not against the project but I think given the housing crisis, the money would be better spent on affordable housing for local people,” he said.

“The design? Well, what is pleasing to one is unattractive to another – I’m not a fan.”

Irene Allison from North Lanarkshire had similar concerns.

“I cannot understand why you would even consider spending this money on this eyesore when people are struggling to heat (their homes) and feed their kids with rising costs for both,” she said.

“Also councils have been deprived of funds and basic services are struggling due to lack of funding.”

Ian Blois from Invernessshire was more worried about the appearance of the Star of Caledonia.

“Looks like something designed by an architect for a 1970s inner city revamp,” he said.

“Wrong design for a rural setting. More suitable for a new town roundabout.

“The Angel of the North works because it reflects the industrial heritage of Newcastle and appears to have risen organically from the surrounding landscape.”

A number of readers described it as a “waste of money” with Brenda Wallace from the Wirral going further and calling it a “hideous monstrosity”.

“If you must waste money on the horrible thing, please don’t light it at night,” she added. “The countryside is beautiful, why blot it with this?”

Simon Hyslop from Dumfries said it was “one of the stupidest vanity projects and waste of money our area doesn’t need”.

“We had plenty of visual outdoor assets in the form of the spectacular vistas now despoiled by wind turbines,” he said.

“Give the money to the NHS or to provide the homeless with homes and food, or support neglected horses, dogs or donkeys.”

However, others approved of the way the project had been expanded to include more than just the artwork.

John Bade from Kent said he found the design “very attractive and very original”.

He thought that it was a “good idea for the accompanying visitor centre to be added”.

There will still be time for the public to have its say as the project makes its way through the planning process.

Dumfries and Galloway Council will have to give the green light before the Star of Caledonia can hope to shine.