There’s lots to learn on the riverbank trail
A new trail of three brass rubbing plates along the River Almond in West Lothian aims to encourage local residents to creatively engage with the river and its wildlife.
RiverLife: Three Sites on the Almond has already encouraged an art i s t i c response from a wide range of local participants who took part in a series of workshops to creatively explore the impact of new fish passes constructed along the river.
At a time when – because of coronavirus restrictions – many people are rediscovering, reconnecting with and enjoying the natural world around them, the final designs feature examples of the fish, birds, insects and plant life that help ensure a healthy river ecosystem.
These include herons, cormorants, sticklebacks, mayfly, grasses and ferns, all of which can be discovered on and around the River Almond.
The three brass rubbing panels form a trail along the river Almond in Livingston which locals can easily walk between, before creating their own brass rubbings of each to take home and keep.
Starting at Kirkton the first brass rubbing is situated upstream along the path from Almond Valley Visitor Centre, at the end of the train line.
From there at Howden: the second can be found along the footpath downstream of the old bridge at Almondvale park, next to the blue viewing platform.
Finally, walkers will come to Craigshill where the rubbing is located along the path downstream of Almond Park, near to the footbridge at the Rugby Club.
The workshops were facilitated by artists Annie Lord and Morvern Odling, who also created the final brass rubbing plates.
These are based on drawings created by several of the workshop participants, including amateur artists and other residents who had not drawn anything for years.
Mor ve r n e x p l a i n e d : “We wanted to provide an opportunity for people to
join us in the artists’ process – from the very beginning of research, all the way through to a completed piece.
“No part of this artwork came only from us, it was a truly collaborative process.
“We began with guided walks along the river, where we could combine speaking with people with the very first sketches and visual explorations.
“It was during these walks where we began to see what passion and ownership local people have for the river.”
Speaking at the unveiling of the brass plaques, Nim Kibbler, Almond and Avon Manager for Forth River Trust, said: “We’re
delighted with the results of these beautiful artworks created in partnership with the local community.
“They bring the river wildlife into sharp focus and help to encourage walkers and other visitors to the river bank to stop a moment, get to know their rivers better and keep an eye out for the flora and fauna depicted on the brass rubbings.”
The project used a very old form of photography – Cyanotypes – to develop participants’ original drawings. As Annie Lord explained: “Many of these have been used on the accompanying information boards next to the brass rubbing panels.”
Local resident and workshop participant Trevor Gilbert said: “I participated in one of the organised walks to Kirkton fish pass.
“This set the scene for future indoor workshops where we had the opportunity to learn the art of cyanotype photography.
“It was rewarding to know that our contributions would play a part in the design of a permanent record linked to the fish passes.
“I have even seen one of my own fish cyanotype pictures on one of the new brass rubbings.”