This provides a pathway for exploration via a series of seven commissioned works by artists. All sculptures were commissioned by Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and Arts Centre.
Each sculpture involved the local community in its construction and all provide a place to sit surrounded by sea, islands and sky and are found in various locations across the Uists and Benbecula.
For more information and location of the sculptures, see below:
Mosaic Mackerelis an outdoor sculpture of a fifteen foot mackerel made by Rosalind Waites in 1996 as part of a year long celebration of the work of William MacGillivray, a famous and much respected naturalist who was brought up on the Isle of Harris. The sculpture was constructed from locally found materials on the shore at Lochmaddy such as quartz, basalt rock, mussel shells and worn down coloured glass. The sculpture reflects the importance of mackerel, and fish in general, to the economy and heritage of the area and is located on the shore by Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and Art Centre at Lochmaddy. Map |
High Tide, Low TideThe sculpture is called High Tide Low Tide to reflect its intertidal position and is situated on the shoreline behind Taigh Chearsabhagh. The structure was constructed with a steel frame and concrete and the dome form is covered in particles of glass, which reflect the sunlight and resembles salt crystals. The hollow interior of the sculpture is filled with salt, and at high tides the sea slowly draws the salt from a small opening. Christine Boshier spent a month at Taigh Chearsabhagh and received a lot of help from the pupils at Lochmaddy School in the design of this sculpture. Map |
Hut of the Shadowsis a grass-roofed stone tumulus designed by Chris Drury. It has a curved passageway leading into a small chamber which, by means of a lens and three mirrors built into a wall, projects onto the opposite wall the landscape around it. It is located at Sponish, 20 minutes walk north of Lochmaddy. Go past Youth Hostel, past Outdoor Activity Centre, over footbridge, from which you’ll see the work on the first headland. Map |
Sanctuarywas designed by Roddy Mathieson and relates to elements within the landscape at Locheport. The bronze sculpture echoes the flight of swans which gather regularly on the surrounding lochs and the shape of boat ribs can also be seen. The sculpture is located at Locheport, a crofting settlement along the southern shore of Loch Euphort, 5½ miles (9 km) southwest of Lochmaddy. Map |
ReflectionsThis sweeping ceramic tiled seat by Dingwall artist Colin Mackenzie is wrapped around natural rock outcrops and echoes the shapes and colours of its surroundings. Gentle ripples on the sand at low-tide are mimicked on its surface and the concrete structure is covered in specially made tiles, glazed to reflect the surrounding colours; aqua with splashes of greys and greens reflects the sand, water and rocks. Reflections is located at Claddach Baleshare and marks the old crossing place to Baleshare before the causeway was built.Sanctuary was designed by Roddy Mathieson and relates to elements within the landscape at Locheport. The bronze sculpture echoes the flight of swans which gather regularly on the surrounding lochs and the shape of boat ribs can also be seen. The sculpture is located at Locheport, a crofting settlement along the southern shore of Loch Euphort, 5½ miles (9 km) southwest of Lochmaddy. Map |