Young modern makers create an environmentally friendly bird hide in Wigtownshire

A leading ecological building designer has worked with six young people to create a state-of-the-art environmentally friendly bird hide at an RSPB Scotland reserve.

(l-r) Andrew Bielinski, Joyce Woodcock (Upland acting director), Amy Marletta (Upland professional and talent development manager), Modern Maker Sarah Cloy from Wigtown, and Frances Coombey, and Sam Booth

The Modern Makers scheme, run by the Upland arts development organisation, was completed at the weekend when the structure was lifted into place on the side of a lagoon near the car park and picnic area at Crook of Baldoon, near Wigtown. Sam Booth, who runs Castle Douglas-based Echo Living, mentored the 16-25 year olds from across Dumfries and Galloway the skills they needed to tackle every aspect of a highly challenging project.

Modern Makers was developed as part of Spring Fling, which is run by Upland, as a way to enable a new generation to learn about traditional and modern craft making techniques and to help them on the road to creative careers. They receive 30 days of training from a professional craft maker so they can learn skills, gain insights into craft making and create a functional piece of craft.

The bird hide project was developed in order to help the RSPB Scotland bring more visitors to the Wigtownshire reserve and show how craft skills can be harnessed to support nature-based tourism.