A consortium of Dumfries and Galloway businesses has won the tender to become the landscape design technical team for the Gretna Landmark Project.

Gretna Landmark is a multiple installation of art and design being created to celebrate a historic border, the border between Scotland and England. In centuries past, this border was known as ???the debatable lands???, but in the 21st century Gretna Landmark is proud to be creating an opportunity to explore the nature of national identity and boundaries at Scotland???s main border crossing.

The Gretna Landmark project is delighted to be working with two of the world???s most well respected artists working in the landscape, Charles Jencks and Andy Goldsworthy. Both artists have their home in the south of Scotland and have strong connections with the people and the landscape here.

Over the last 5 years Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association’s public art team have chaired debates, seminars and workshops with the local community, regional/national stake holders, academics, cultural thinkers and artists/designers to develop a creative recipe for the landmark project.

The newly appointed consortium consists of: Smiths Gore, Solway Heritage, Asher Associates Consulting Engineers, RGP Architects and McGowan Miller Chartered Surveyors.

Dr Jan Hogarth, Public Art Manager for DGAA said, ???The local consortium came across as a really strong team at interview. The panel are confident that they will successfully facilitate Charles Jencks??? vision.
???We are absolutely delighted that this opportunity has gone to a consortium of local companies. They demonstrated amply just how much knowledge and expertise exists within the region. It???s great to see these capable individuals working together to form such a dynamic team.???

Senior Architect for Smiths Gore Michael Leybourne, the landscape design technical team’s co-ordinator, said, ???We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with Charles Jencks on the Gretna Landmark Project. We believe it???s an incredibly important project for the South of Scotland, and are proud to play our part in it. Our local team are looking forward to providing the necessary support to Charles and the project management team through these early stages of the Gretna Landmark Project.???

The next stage for the Gretna Landmark project will be the appointment of an individual or team to deliver the optical kinetic structure for the top of the Landmark structure. For more information about the project please visit www.gretnalandmark.com