After a fantastic event in June 22, where we had crowds gathered here at Crawick Multiverse to experience the first moments of sunrise and to mark the Summer Solstice in Dumfries & Galloway, we are back bigger and better in partnership with The Open University (OU) Scotland to co-host an extended programme of Summer Solstice Celebrations in Upper Nithsdale from 18th – 24th June 2023.
Summer Solstice Week at Crawick Multiverse will begin on Sunday 18th June with our Over the Moon at the Multiverse with a family friendly open day featuring tours and interactive talks on site. The evening will see the launch of Solstice Seminars; a programme of talks from leading specialists in Space Science from The Open University, including professors Monica Grady CBE, Stephen Peake and Mahesh Anand, in Sanquhar Town Hall.
Throughout the week, young people and teachers from local schools and community groups will also participate in tours and workshops delivered by OU and supported by Developing the Young Workforce Dumfries & Galloway. Activities for schools will take place on site and in schools and other community venues including A‘ the Airts in Sanquhar.
Our celebrations will continue at The Multiverse on the longest day, Wednesday 21st June, starting with an early morning Sunrise Ceremony, led by Open University professor of religious studies, Graham Harvey and professional storyteller, Gordon MacLellan. Throughout the day, visitors will have the opportunity to engage in a range of activities including self-guided sensory tours, guided tours, yoga sessions and Tai Chi demonstrations. Summer Solstice Day visitors will be treated to an afternoon of entertainment from local musicians and performers culminating in a later afternoon Tilt Ceremony to mark the moment when the sun is at maximum tilt.
There will then be a Midsummer’s Day Family Picnic will bring the Summer Solstice Week celebrations to a close on Saturday 24th June. You will be able to roam the site, browse a pop-up exhibition and enjoy midsummer entertainment. Visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic or pre-order a picnic box.
Cathy Agnew, Trustee, The Crawick Multiverse Trust said:
“We’re thrilled to be inviting visitors and locals to our unique space at Crawick to mark the Summer Solstice in whatever way they choose. We believe the site and the spectacular surrounding countryside lends itself perfectly for visitors to celebrate the Solstice, alone or with their friends and family. We are delighted to be co-hosting the whole community programme with The Open University in Scotland and to be working closely with local schools, businesses and venues to ensure the wider community are very much part of the celebrations. We hope visitors will also enjoy more of what our beautiful region has to offer.”
Derek Goldman, Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager at The Open University in Scotland added:
“We are delighted to be co-hosting the Solstice Week celebrations at Crawick this year. The Multiverse is a stunning and unique site which brings together the wonders of art and science. With students across the whole of Scotland – including 2,900 in South Scotland – The Open University is pleased to be delivering talks and workshops in the programme with some of our leading experts in space science and the arts, as part of our cultural and community engagement work across Scotland.”
Summer Solstice Week 2023 is co-hosted by The Crawick Multiverse Trust and The Open University in Scotland. A programme of activities for local schools is being supported by DYW Dumfries and Galloway. The partners would also like to acknowledge the funding received from The Barfil Charitable Trust.
