A wooden life-size figure has been crafted to sit on the new picnic bench at the top of Waterside Hill. Before she is installed on the hillside, she will tour the Glenkens through May 2026, igniting discussion and storytelling activities for all ages!
The ‘Woodlands Plus’ project has been working on a variety of sites in the region to explore how social, economic and ecological benefits can be added to local woodlands. As part of this, new interpretation boards were installed on Waterside Hill in 2025 that reveal the history of the area, and a new picnic bench was installed near the summit.
In addition to this, a life size wooden figure has been crafted to sit on the picnic bench –an artistic installation encouraging visitors to enjoy the view and consider the Glenkens, both past and present.
The figure will be unveiled on Waterside Hill in a short ceremony on 31st May. Before then, the wooden sculpture (on a replica picnic bench) will tour the Glenkens, appearing at different locations. This tour is partly for the sheer joy of it but also to introduce the project to the wider public, including those that might not be able to meet her in due course at the top of Waterside Hill.
Several of these travelling appearances will be accompanied by Anne Errington, local storyteller, giving a new way to engage with our heritage.
The sculpture forms part of the ‘Woodlands Plus’ Project, led by Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands. For more info about the project and aims, visit: https://dgwoodlands.org.uk/woodlands-plus/.
The sculpture has been made by Robert Lawrence (www.ingrainedculture.co.uk), funded by the Glenkens & District Trust.
The tour of the Glenkens is made possible thanks to the support of GCAT’s Cultural Glenkens project (https://glenkens.scot/cultural-glenkens) and a range of partners. Install on Waterside Hill is possible thanks to the particular support of Earlstoun Estate, landowner, and the ongoing support of the Southern Upland Way Rangers.
McNabb Laurie, Manager of Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands, said:
“It is simply impossible to be next to this figure and for it not to provoke discussion… This sculpture – part-artistic installation and part heritage engagement opportunity – has been lovingly created to form a feature of anyone’s walk along the Southern Upland Way. The tour of the Glenkens in May is only possible thanks to the support from a wide range of partners, thank you to all involved. If you see her out on her travels, please do say hello.”
Robert Lawrence, creator of the sculpture, said:
“In Scotland there are only a small number of public statues depicting female figures. If you take Queen Victoria out of the equation a handful of examples remain. Even fewer from modern times. So it has been a great privilege for me to produce a figure to my community led brief of ‘an appropriate female image’ and ‘an image for all women’. Have I achieved it? I’ll leave you to decide…”
Anne Errington will be leading Storytelling sessions with the sculpture (as detailed below), and said:
“As Cormac mac Cuilennáin may have said of her, ‘She is the listener in the woods, she is the gazer at the stars ….as described by name of pet and fate!!’”
Jo Jackson, Cultural Glenkens Project Officer, added:
“Cultural Glenkens are delighted to be working with D & G Woodlands to welcome the wooden sculpture to the Glenkens. We hope that as many people as possible will have the chance, through her mini tour, to meet and interact with the figure before celebrating her final destination on Waterside Hill at the end of May”.
May 2026 Sculpture Tour Dates:
- Fri 1st May – Launch at CatStrand 3.00-3.45pm (inc. Storytelling)
- Fri 8th May – Mossdale Village Hall Bar and Music 7.30-10.00pm (inc. Storytelling)
- Mon 11th May – LING Lunches New Galloway Town Hall 12.30-2.00pm
- Sat 16 May – Carsphairn Bairns Banter (inc. Storytelling)
- Tues 19 May – Dalry Library Garden, 2-5pm
- Sat May 23rd – Balmaclellan Village Hall & Plant Sale
- Sun 31st May – Unveiling on Waterside Hill 11.30am (inc. Storytelling)
For more information about Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands, follow them on social media, visit the website www.dgwoodlands.org.uk or sign up for the newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/iAlL6k. Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands is registered in Scotland as a SCIO, number 052525.
Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands is a membership organisation. If you’d like to join as a member, visit the website. For any further info, please contact mcnabb.laurie@dgwoodlands.org.