Pimp my hide - artist call out
Peter Scott, the founder of the WWT, had a thing about hides.
He had a real eye for putting them in the right position and working out how to get the watcher high up. One of the things that makes Caerlaverock special are the number of places on the site where visitors can get into great positions to watch nature. The Farmhouse and Avenue Towers give fantastic views of parts of the reserve and the wider landscape. The Saltcot Merse and Peter Scott Observatories both have upstairs as well, giving views out across the reserve. For lower levels, the 3 log hides - Campbell, Folly Pond and Glengoyne - also have great vistas and have provided some pretty good wildlife experiences for visitors over the years.
But previously, all of the focus for the hides has been on what can be seen outside of them. Inside, the buildings can be a little spartan, not very welcoming and not always very comfortable. For visitors who want to settle down and wait to see what comes past, this can be a hindrance. One of the best ways to sample the wildlife of Caerlaverock is to wedge yourself in a corner of a hide and wait and watch. The longer you stay, the more you see.
We are working with Glengoyne Distillery, sponsors of some of our work at Caerlaverock, and the Stove Network to make the Glengoyne Hide a more welcoming place where visitors can settle down and take their time to connect with the wildlife and scenery outside. We are looking for an artist who will take on the task of developing the interior of the Glengoyne Hide to set a wildlife watching mood, create a comfortable atmosphere and leave visitors with a memorable experience. Check out the call out on the Stove's website and if you know of an artist up to the task, pass this on!
Words by David Pickett
