Theatre, music, dance, art, yoga and Kelton the Beltie bull – Crawick Multiverse has unveiled its family-friendly line up of events and activities for the summer solstice.

With gates opening at 4 am on 21 June, visitors have the chance to greet the sunrise (at 4.29 am) on the longest day in one of Scotland’s most spectacular artistic settings.

And at 8.30 am a programme of relaxed and low-key entertainment will begin with acoustic music by The Galloway Agreement who will perform in the beautiful Sun Amphitheatre. 

A little later the amphitheatre will host another of the day’s highlights when the multiple award-winning Walking Theatre Company will invite audiences to join them in an immersive performance to celebrate summer and the moment in the year when “the elementals awake and fire, air, earth and water align as the sun stands still”.

Elsewhere in the 55-acre environmental artwork, which was inspired by the sun, stars and other wonders of the cosmos, Summer Solstice at The Multiverse will present:

  • Song from the Cairn Chorus community choir
  • Harp music from the internationally renowned Wendy Stewart
  • Family art workshop with  A’ The Airts
  • Dance from the Motiv8 dance school
  • Family yoga and meditation with Becky Rose
  • Tai Chi demonstration by Abby Galton.

Tickets are £8 and available from the website at www.crawickmultiverse.co.uk.   

Wendy said: “It’s such a special feeling to play my music at Crawick Multiverse and even more remarkable to be there at midsummer. Celebrations to mark the longest day at the turning of the year have been going on for millennia and it’s great to have an opportunity to come together in such a setting with singing, music and dance.”

Performances will take place near some of the spectacular features of the Multiverse, such as the mounds that represent the Andromeda and Milky Way galaxies, and the many standing stones.

There will also be the first chance in 2022 to see Kelton the one-tonne wicker Beltie bull who was on show at the Multiverse, and other sites across Scotland, last year. In this case he will link ancient and modern ideas about the stars – reminding visitors of the constellation and zodiacal sign of Taurus.

Created by the celebrated artist and cultural theorist Charles Jencks, Crawick Multiverse was designed to be “a cosmic landscape worthy of the ancients” and is the perfect place to spend the longest day.

Sharon Glendinning, Crawick Multiverse General Manager, said: “This will be a great way to mark the solstice, with relaxed entertainment that will allow the local residents and visitors to the area to enjoy Crawick in a new way – as an outdoor events venue.

“We’re really excited to be welcoming Kelton back to the Multiverse, for his first outing of the year. He has an amazing mythical quality that’s ideal for the solstice and the Multiverse. 

Summer Solstice at the Multiverse is all about putting Crawick at the heart of our community and it will also build on the success of the success of Oi Musica’s appearance here as part of the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival.”

The event is supported by EventScotland, Creative Scotland and the Upper Nithsdale Tourism Partnership. The events programme runs until 12.30pm with visitors welcome to stay on to enjoy the site during the afternoon.

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Editors’ notes

About Crawick Multiverse

  • Crawick Multiverse is a spectacular land art installation created by the late Charles Jencks and inspired by his thinking about space, astronomy and cosmology. See https://www.charlesjencks.com
  • It was a major land restoration project, transforming 55 acres of former open cast mining into an inspirational landscape, unique destination and visitor attraction.
  • Crawick is in the hills of Upper Nithsdale on the B740, Sanquhar, Dumfries & Galloway, DG4 6EG.
  • Opening: For the season from 1 April, seven days a week
  • Email: [email protected] 
  • Phone: 01659 50242 

Crawick Fact File

Crawick Multiverse reflects both the ecology and geology of the region where it stands. It has many spectacular features for visitors to enjoy. 

  • Around 2,000 boulders were used to create Crawick Multiverse 
  • The Sun Amphitheatre is at the heart of the Multiverse and can hold approximately 3,500 spectators
  • The North-South line comprises approximately 300 boulders
  • The site spans 55 acres
  • The Northpoint provides a 20-mile 360 degree panoramic view
  • Around 300 boulders were used to create the Multiverse landform.

The Crawick Multiverse Trust

The site is now managed and run by the Crawick Multiverse Trust (CMT) which is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. The Trust’s objectives are:

  • To contribute to the regeneration of the community in Dumfries and Galloway through the provision of a visitor attraction of national and international significance.
  • To advance the arts through the commissioning of contemporary and site-specific art works for the benefit and enjoyment of the public.
  • To encourage  public understanding and appreciation of the role of landscape and environment as both material and site for art.

Through visiting, you are helping maintain the site to ensure future generations can continue to enjoy it. Thank you for your support.

About EventScotland

  • EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events by securing and supporting an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events. It provides funding opportunities and access to resources and information to develop the industry. 
  • EventScotland is a team within VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, the national tourism organisation, alongside Business Events and Development teams.  For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.eventscotland.org or follow Twitter @EventScotNews and LinkedIn.

The Crawick Multiverse Trust is a charity registered in Scotland SC039940 and a company limited by guarantee SC349562. Its registered office is at 32-34 High Street, Sanquhar, Scotland, DG4 6BL.