Little Sparta

Book Online Book online or by cheque made payable to the PGG to Colin Carmichael, Selma, Old Crieff Road, Aberfeldy, Perthshire PH15 2DH.

PGG visit Little Sparta: The Garden of Ian Hamilton Finlay

Set in the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh, Little Sparta is Ian Hamilton Finlay’s greatest work of art. Finlay moved to the farm of Stonypath in 1966 and, in partnership with his wife Sue Finlay, began to create what would become an internationally acclaimed garden across seven acres of a wild and exposed moorland site.

Collaborating with stone carvers, letterers and at times other artists and poets, the numerous sculptures and artworks created by Finlay, which are all integral to the garden, explore themes as diverse as the sea and its fishing fleets, our relationship to nature, classical antiquity, the French Revolution and the Second World War. Individual poetic and sculptural elements in wood, stone and metal are sited in relation to carefully structured landscaping and planting. In this way, the garden in its entirety is the artwork.

Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925-2006) was a poet, writer, visual artist and gardener. He is now internationally recognised for his work in each of these art forms.

Programme

Option 1
1.00pm. Meet at the Apple Pie bakery, 3 Biggar Road, Carnwath, ML11 8HJ for lunch or a snack. A highly recommended bakery and recent winner of the best Scottish scone.

Option 2
2.00pm. Meet in the Little Sparta car park.
4.00pm. Garden closes.

Directions

Driving to Little Sparta from Edinburgh, follow the A702 as far as Dolphinton, where there is a right turn to Dunsyre. Follow signs to Dunsyre (about three miles). About a mile after passing through Dunsyre, Little Sparta’s car park is on the right-hand side.

Driving to Little Sparta from Glasgow, leave the M8 at junction 6a for the A73, then turn left on to the A721 at Carluke; continue to Newbigging where there is a left turn to Dunsyre. After about three miles, and before reaching Dunsyre, Little Sparta’s car park is on the left.

For SatNav users, Little Sparta’s postcode is ML11 8NG, but be sure to turn in at the signed car park and not one of the neighbouring farms. SatNav may direct you to turn off the road opposite a row of cottages – do not follow this instruction. Little Sparta’s car park is about a mile closer to Dunsyre, directly adjacent to the road. If you don’t see a sign saying Little Sparta, you are in the wrong place.

From the car park, access to the garden is via a 10-minute walk along a farm track. Sheep and cattle maybe present in the adjacent unfenced fields.

Cost

£12.00 per person.

Booking

Book Online Book online or by cheque made payable to the PGG to Colin Carmichael, Selma, Old Crieff Road, Aberfeldy, Perthshire PH15 2DH.

More info

littlesparta.org.uk/gardeners-diary
There are no picnic areas in the garden and refreshments are not available (see Option 1 above). Please bring a bottle of water if the weather is hot. A public toilet is accessed via the Kailyard. Only assistance dogs are allowed.