The idea for the Star of Caledonia followed the devastating foot and mouth outbreak in 2001, with landowner Alasdair Houston and other members of the community keen to create a spectacular landmark for Scotland at the English border and raise the profile of the South of Scotland.
Star of Caledonia takes inspiration from James Clerk Maxwell’s classical theories on electro-magnetism, electromagnetic field conditions and waveforms.
The River Sark forms the border between Scotland and England at Gretna and marks the southern most site boundary to Star of Caledonia.
The Star of Caledonia will stimulate economic growth by attracting additional visitors to the region. The design will prove a powerful catalyst for regeneration as part of a wider cultural and tourism vision.
The site is at the heart of an area historically known as the Debatable Lands.
The site for the landmark is over 2 hectares in size.
Star of Caledonia will be seen by over 10 million people each year.
The landmark will be seen from the West Coast main rail line.
It is 40 metres high, or the height of four Olympic diving platforms.
The steel structure is 38 metres wide and 46 metres long.
Each pipe is 9 metres long from end to end.
The landform is 15 metres high and extends over the 2 hectare site.
It can withstand winds of over 100 miles an hour.
There are 78 pipes with 156 lights, one at each end of the pipes.
It is 40 metres high, or the height of four Olympic diving platforms.
The steel structure weighs around 350 tonnes.
It is built to last at least 100 years.
It will cost £7 million.
