The Star of Caledonia is a hugely ambitious arts project for Scotland and will be on a truly epic scale. Here are some key facts about the project, and the ideas that inspired it.
The idea of a spectacular landmark on the Scotland-England border dates from 2001 when Alasdair Houston, and the Gretna community, decided to raise the area’s profile after the devastating foot and mouth outbreak.
It will be a major visitor attraction and a catalyst for economic regeneration in Dumfries and Galloway
The Star of Caledonia will be occupy a two hectare site overlooking the A74(M)
It consists of a huge metal structure on top of an immense, 15-metre tall landform designed by the late Charles Jencks
It is inspired by the great history of Scottish creativity and scientific thought, including the theories of physicist James Clerk Maxwell
The entire artwork will stand 40 metres tall - the height of four Olympic diving boards
The metal structure will be 38 metres wide and 46 metres long, weighing 350 tonnes
This will be built using metal pipes 9m long
The Star will be seen by more than 10 million people a year - from the road and the West Coast mainline
The River Sark, which marks the border, runs along the site’s southernmost boundary
In past centuries this area was known as the Debatable Lands
It is being designed to withstand the harshest of weather conditions - including 100mph winds
The total cost is expected to top £7 million and is intended to stand for more than 100 years.
