A £25 million proposal to create a historic Merlin themed trail and centre at Beattock will be heard at Holyrood next week.
The Arthur Trail Association has been working on plans to create the multi-million-pound Dark Age Centre for several years, securing £30,000 of funding in 2023 from various sources for a feasibility study.
Their vision is to reveal the true story of the real man behind the Merlin legend, who it’s said lived and died locally in the sixth century.
Now, the completed plan is headed to Holyrood where it will be introduced to parliament with hopes of securing government backing. Association chairman Robin Crichton this week explained: “On April 3, Christine Grahame MSP will sponsor a proposal in the Scottish Parliament for a unique and ground-breaking visitor attraction based on a legendary figure everyone knows – but few realise was actually a real person who lived in the South of Scotland 1500 years ago. “Now, there is a plan to bring his world back to life; a new multi-million-pound centre, at Beattock, will present a ground breaking 6th century immersive experience for an international audience supported by a trail of 30 Dark Age sites covering the whole of the South of Scotland.”
And he revealed more about how the centre will be set up, adding: “The narrative is told in three episodes, presented in next-generation virtual reality theatres with 360 degree and overhead projection and matching surround sound with different language versions for non-English speakers.”
Other planned attractions at the centre include an archaeological exhibition and learning area; conference and indoor events hall; an exhibition of how in different countries history became legend to promote new political or religious ideals; a rooftop restaurant with views of the Moffat Hills, as well as a shop and tourist information desk.
Joining Mr Crichton on his quest to Holyrood are Annandale North Cllr Lynne Davis and Visit Moffat founder Leys Geddes, who is firmly backing the Merlin centre and trail.
Mr Geddes said: “The purpose of this project is to bring to life the history and the person who is specific to our area of the world.
“It’s a good opportunity for the area and we should all be behind it because means investment in our area and it’s an original idea.”
The wider Merlin trail includes satellite sites at other towns and burghs with links to other dark age legends and history, including: Lochmaben and Clochmaben – once known throughout the Roman world as centres of a fertility cult; Tinnis Castle – site of Merlin’s death; a reconstructed 6th century Christian mission – telling the story of St Mungo and Merlin’s hideaway – a cave shelter above the tree-line in a cleugh of black rock.
It is hoped the centre and trail will attract visitors from across the globe and Mr Crichton added: “The Merlin Experience is expected to attract visitors year-round. It will fill a major blank in Scotland’s heritage offering and generate over an additional £20 million a year in local tourism spend.
“This is more than a tourist attraction. It will create jobs, support existing businesses and create new ones, improve road and rail infrastructure and enhance regional identity. It is a chance to synergise the rural economy of an area that history forgot.”
