A renewable energy company has pledged £6 million towards construction of what will become Scotland’s largest sculpture, providing the cornerstone investment for a landmark project aimed at transforming tourism in Dumfries and Galloway.
CWP Energy, a major developer of onshore wind farms in Scotland, is contributing half the estimated £12 million cost of the Star of Caledonia, a 33-metre illuminated steel structure planned for a 39-acre site near Gretna Green on the Scotland-England border. Construction is scheduled to commence in March 2026, with completion targeted for spring 2027.
The announcement marks a significant milestone for a project conceived more than two decades ago following the devastating foot-and-mouth disease outbreak of 2001. Local farmer and businessman Alasdair Houston originally envisioned the landmark as a cultural catalyst for regional regeneration. Following Houston’s death in 2021, his wife Lucy Houston assumed chairmanship of the Star of Caledonia Trust and has driven the project forward.
Design and Significance
Designed by internationally renowned artist and engineer Cecil Balmond OBE, the sculpture celebrates the scientific legacy of James Clerk Maxwell, the 19th-century Scottish physicist whose theories on electromagnetism laid the groundwork for modern technology including radio, television, and mobile communications. Maxwell, often described as “Scotland’s Einstein,” was born in Edinburgh and raised in Dumfries and Galloway.
“This is going to be a spectacle that embodies Scotland’s legacy of innovation and its commitment to green energy,” said Rod Wood, managing director of CWP Energy. “The Star of Caledonia symbolises the brilliance of James Clerk Maxwell, the ‘Einstein of Scotland’. Einstein once said he stood on Maxwell’s shoulders, and this sculpture reflects that legacy of light, energy and progress. It is more than just a sculpture, it’s a national statement”.
The sculpture’s LED lights will be powered entirely by renewable energy, fitting the sustainable ethos of both the project and its primary backer. Cecil Balmond, former deputy chairman of engineering firm Arup and founder of Balmond Studio, won a design competition for the project in 2011.
Project leaders anticipate the Star of Caledonia will attract approximately 250,000 visitors annually, significantly boosting the local economy. The site will include a purpose-built visitor hub, landscaped grounds, and a viewing platform positioned strategically on land next to the A74(M) motorway, where an estimated 84 per cent of all road visitors to Scotland pass.
The sculpture aims to replicate the tourism success of similar landmarks. Scotland’s Kelpies – 30-metre-high horse head sculptures near Falkirk – have welcomed over seven million visitors since opening in 2014 and now attract approximately one million visitors annually. The Angel of the North in Gateshead, England, standing 20 metres tall with a 54-metre wingspan, is seen by an estimated 33 million people each year due to its proximity to major transport routes.
Dumfries and Galloway’s tourism sector generated £911 million in economic value in 2023, a 20 per cent increase from the previous year, supporting 15,652 jobs across the region. The sector accounts for more than half a billion pounds in visitor spending, making tourism a leading private sector cluster in the area.
Lucy Houston, chair of the Star of Caledonia Trust, expressed satisfaction with the progress: “This collaboration marks a significant advancement for the project and reflects the unwavering backing from our local community, Dumfries and Galloway Council, and elected officials,” she stated. “Their faith in our vision has led us to this important milestone”.
CWP Energy, the project’s principal private investor, has been a major force in Scotland’s renewable energy sector since its founding in 2001. The company has developed a renewable energy portfolio exceeding 3 gigawatts, with investments surpassing £1 billion in the UK.
The firm has significant operations in Dumfries and Galloway. Its Sanquhar II Community Wind Farm, which began construction in 2025, is Scotland’s fourth-largest onshore wind facility, featuring 44 turbines generating 308 megawatts – sufficient to power approximately 335,000 homes. That project represents more than £800 million in local investment over its 40-year operational lifespan.
CWP Energy provides substantial community support through its developments. The company committed more than £1.25 million annually through community benefit funds, with over £10 million in support provided to date. Previous initiatives include the £1 million East Lothian Energy Fund, which assisted over 1,400 individuals and families during the cost-of-living crisis.
Rod Wood, a director of the Gretna Landmark Trust (now Star of Caledonia Trust) since its formation, represents CWP Energy’s long-standing commitment to the sculpture project.
Next Steps
With planning approval secured and cornerstone funding confirmed, the Star of Caledonia Trust is finalising preparations for construction to begin in March 2026. The 12-15 month construction timeline positions the project for public opening in spring 2027, twenty-six years after Alasdair Houston first conceived the idea.
Revenue generated by the site will be reinvested through a community interest company to fund artistic, educational, and community initiatives across Dumfries and Galloway. The trust has assembled feasibility studies, revenue forecasts, and business models to support the project’s long-term sustainability.
The sculpture will stand taller than both the Kelpies (30 metres) and the Angel of the North (20 metres), establishing a new benchmark for public art in Scotland. Its location on the primary border crossing between Scotland and England positions it to serve as both a welcoming gateway and an enduring symbol of Scotland’s scientific heritage and renewable energy future.
