Developed by Dunbar Community Woodland Group, the artwork was designed through a research and community engagement programme involving several stone carving workshops that took place in the woods and local schools, Dunbar Primary and Belhaven Hill.
As part of Tarmac’s commitment to working with and supporting local communities in the most positive way, the stones were donated and sourced from its Dunbar quarry that lies just two miles to the east of Lochend Woods. Known as ‘Dunbar Marble’, the limestone blocks were carefully polished before carving to reveal intricate details of fossil corals from over 320 million years ago.
The land on which the stones reside was once part of the Barony of Lochend, a large estate that surrounded Lochend House. This house was replaced by a 19th century mansion destroyed by fire in 1859, of which there is no trace today. When researching the history of the area, James was struck by the stark contrast between the peaceful nature of the woodland today and the often-tumultuous events that have played out across the surrounding landscape.
The project title, ‘May the Fates Provide a Quiet Seat’, draws on a motto that was found carved into a stone lying next to the ruins of the 17th century Lochend House. A survey from 1962 describes it as follows: “On a panel lying beside the gateway is carved a heraldic achievement. Beneath a heavy crest and mantling is a shield charged with nine stars and below is the legend SEDES DENT FATA QUIETAS.”
The project explores the idea of hoping for a ‘quiet seat’, both in terms of ‘a seat of power’ but also as a quiet place to sit and take in the site, sounds and scents of the surrounding woodland. Several of the stones function as seats, and although their carved panels speak of the area’s turbulent history, they encourage the passer-by to sit and look out onto the world of the present.
