An artist’s year-long labour of love to interpret the Galloway coast and countryside was unveiled at Knockbrex Hill near Borgue yesterday afternoon.
Annie Butler painted four landscape scenes from the viewpoint to conclude the Borgue PLACE project recording local field names and features.
The two-metre-wide metal panels – each orientated to different compass points – are inscribed with explanatory text on the seasons, tides and hills.
Annie, who works from her Annie’s Art House studio at Knockbrex, said: “The whole thing took me over a year – in between selling my art in other ways.
“Initially I volunteered to do a big painted map of all the fields and their names around Borgue for the PLACE project.
“Then I did a panorama for free and they liked it so much I was commissioned to do all four.
“I do think this is something a lot of locals and incomers will take pleasure from.”
The four panoramic panels are orientated south west, north west, north east and south east .
Each has descriptions of field names, landscape features and hills, along with the season, time of day and tide state.
Annie felt it was “really important” to show connections between the land and those who worked on it at different times through the centuries.
She said: “The landowners, David and Dora Austin, put up the stands for the signs because they wanted to contribute to the project.
“The text on the panels is in English with local Scots names for wildlife included.
“I really wanted to illustrate the view in all weathers, seasons and directions, at different times of day and tide to get across the ever-changing landscape.
“The view was never the same two days running.”
She added: “I have always loved this part of the world.
“During lockdown I would cycle down to Carrick and go up the hill.
“I do feel there are a lot of people becoming very aware of the need to conserve the landscape.
“We are lucky enough to have traditional fields with wild areas and rich habitats for wildlife here.
“Such sympathetic farming makes this landscape and the more people who can enjoy and appreciate it the better.
“There are a many people speaking out for sustainable, traditional farming methods to preserve the Galloway countryside.
“It’s all about getting people to appreciate the beauty of what we have.”
Local people and representatives of Borgue Community Council were among those attending yesterday afternoon’s simple celebration at Knockbrex.
