Crowds gathered at Crawick Multiverse, near Sanquhar, to experience the first moments of sunrise marking the summer solstice on Wednesday.
The Duke of Buccleuch, who funded the spectacular cosmic-inspired artland designed by the late Charles Jencks, was at the 4am ceremony at Crawick’s great conical mound topped with standing stones and named after the Andromeda galaxy.
It was the start of a day of family-friendly activities which culminated in a Tilt Ceremony from 3.15pm to 4.15pm – the moment when sun reaches its annual zenith and the year turned.
In conjunction with The Open University in Scotland, it was part of a week of celebrations at the 55-acre site – which is inspired by astronomy and the wonders of the cosmos – organised by Crawick Multiverse Trust, of which the Duke is patron, which began on Sunday and has brought together the public, scientists, academics and storytellers.
The week will conclude tomorrow with a Midsummer’s Day family picnic; the Baron Thyssen Centre Exhibition; storytelling, crafts and an informal afternoon of midsummer entertainment from performers. They includ the local community choir, soprano Claudia Wood, The Tarton Tenor Colin Thomas Bryce , Young Burnsian of Scotland and winners of the National Burns Competition as well as Sanquhar and District Silver Band.
