Visitors are being offered the chance to get to the 'art' of Mugdock Country Park with the opening of a new attraction – the Campsie Gallery.
The first exhibition is currently underway, 'Mugdock – Form and Texture', a photographic exploration by Alan McBride of the popular destination's natural and built structures.
The gallery is located in the main courtyard, in what was the Campsie Room – previously used as a meeting and event space.
The aim is to enrich the cultural experiences available at Mugdock, which include its theatre, walled garden musical events, pantomimes and regular events programme.
Councillor Jim Gibbons, Chair of Mugdock Country Park Joint Management Committee, said, "We hope it will inspire professional artists to create exhibitions that immerse the viewer in nature and heritage – providing people with fresh perspectives on the park."
'Mugdock – Form and Texture' is on until 27 August 2025, open 10am-4pm. It features evocative and thought-provoking images which use texture to explore the role of nature in embracing all that is made.
The new gallery provides a welcoming space for visitors and is an excellent addition to the wealth of facilities and activities already on offer.
Creator Alan McBride explains, "In this exhibition, we see stone etched by masons slowly become part of nature again. The process starts with the natural world, our interventions within it bring change, ownership and utility – all of which are ultimately embraced within the inevitable return to nature."
The next exhibition, which opens in September, is by photographer Shane Simmons. ‘Tranquillity and Ruin' will explore the profound connection between public outdoor spaces and the human experience of grief, loss and healing.
