As the weather starts to get better, a stunning new addition to the University of Aberdeen's Cruickshank Botanic Garden is set to offer visitors an additional peaceful place to gather their thoughts.
Now in place on the ‘Beech Lawn’, on the south-west corner towards the Rose Garden, is a striking new bench, which has been carved from fallen timber by world-renowned sculptor, Nigel Ross.
Adorned with the words ‘memories’, ‘play’, ‘forever’, ‘outdoors’ and ‘learn’; as a living memorial, the bench has been thoughtfully designed to honour a special person, to whom it is dedicated.
Curator of the Cruickshank Botanic Garden, Mark Paterson, said: “I was approached by a family who wanted to further enhance CBG and at the same time provide a memorial to someone they loved and who loved the garden. Their idea was to commission Nigel Ross to design and make a bench in such a way that it would be appealing to children as well as being a commemorative, visual delight in CBG.
“Of course I was absolutely thrilled at the offer and have continued to be overwhelmed by the beauty of the bench, and what it symbolises. The words carved into the oak have been carefully chosen. I hope for all who sit on the bench, the location and words, combined, will conjure up different emotions and memories, leaving them feeling better for having been there.”
Having been commissioned, Nigel set about creating and sculpting the bench from an oak tree that was blown down along the shore of Loch of Clunie in a winter 2023 storm. Appropriately, due to its shape, Mark and others have started referring to the bench as the ‘Viking Ship'.
Nigel commented: “Part of the remit for the bench was for it be attractive to children and it was carved with this in mind. I thought perhaps a viking boat would be perfect. I also wanted to capture the spirt of the oak tree and show off the grain the knots and exploit the tactile character of the oak.
“I had set aside the unusual curved limb from the Clunie Oak and was just waiting for the right opportunity to arise – the living memorial bench at the Cruickshank Botanic Gardens was absolutely the perfect commission for it. Oak is a durable timber and and the bench should stand the test of time and will even get polished with use.”
Mark added: “The bench, quite simply, looks phenomenal and it will do so all year round and indeed, in perpetuity. Whether set against the long shadows of wintertime or highlighted by dappled sunlight shining through the seasonal foliage of the surrounding trees. In addition to being a lovely piece of artistic work, the bench is practical and has become my favourite new meeting place – instead of an online Teams chat, I’ll see you at the Viking Ship!”
For more information about Nigel Ross and his work, visit http://www.nigelross-sculpture.com/