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£11m Star plans on show

CONSTRUCTION work on a new £11m sculpture next to the A74(M) at Gretna Green could start before the end of winter 2025

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By Zac Hannay
Annan and Eskdale
£11m Star plans on show
STAR VISION . . . trustees Susan Houston, chair Lucy Houston, and Joanne Boyd with an artist’s impression of the Star of Caledonia

And, if all goes to plan, the Star of Caledonia could be open to visitors by the spring of 2027.

The sculpture was the centre of attention at the Richard Greenhow Centre on Tuesday as members of the public were invited to a consultation to view the plans.

They could see an artist’s impression of the site, which is situated in the field opposite the Smiths at Gretna Green Hotel.

Standing at 33 metres, the completed star would be taller than the Angel of the North. It would be constructed of painted carbon or mild steel and have 53 rods with 106 attached lights.

A handout document prepared by the Star of Caledonia Trust said: “It’s going to cost in the region of £11m, although we don’t know the exact price yet as we are still getting prices in.

“This includes everything that you see on the plans; the sculpture, the infrastructure, all the beautiful landscaping, car parking, access and the amphitheatre.

“At this stage, it doesn’t include the visitors’ hub which will be built at a later stage.

“The money is a mixture of public and private funding. The biggest sum is coming from CWP Energy.

“Out of the total cost, roughly 70 per cent is coming from private funders, not public money.

“We hope to draw new visitors to the Star, which we will encourage to then visit Dumfries and Galloway, Cumbria and the Borders. And we hope to get about 200,000 visitors in our first year.”

The team also said the lights on the Star will have a ‘glow’, and will not be bright enough to affect Springfield and Gretna Green.

They will also consult with Dumfries and Galloway Council to make the surrounding roads as safe as possible.

Annandale East and Eskdale councillor Denis Male attended the consultation.

He said: “I believe the Star will be of great benefit, tourist wise, to the whole region.

“Now that the plan is to site it adjacent to the M74, there will be far more interest from the public and the numbers visiting will greatly increase.

“This means the whole of Dumfries and Galloway can be highlighted and allow travellers to gain a far greater understanding of what the region has to offer.”

The landmark was first discussed in 2003 by the late Alasdair Houston, farmer and owner of a tourism/hospitality business at Gretna Green, as a way to reinvigorate the region after foot and mouth.

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