The Granite Garden
Aim
The aim of this project was to construct a unique feature to commemorate Dalbeattie's heritage as a producer of the quality granite which has been used in major construction projects worldwide.
Background
Commercial quarrying of granite commenced in Dalbeattie around 1820 at Craignair Quarry which led to the town's expansion and increased prosperity, with many other local quarries opening up, such was the demand for the high quality of the stone. Much of the granite was exported 
by sea from the Port of Dalbeattie, situated on the River Urr, and was used in such notable structures as Trinidad Docks, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Eddystone Lighthouse, Belfast and Liverpool Docks, and the Thames Embankment as well as most of the bridges in Glasgow.
Local Consultation
The town's picturesque Colliston Park was chosen as the preferred site, being already a well used public facility and close to the town centre. The Local Authority Planners and Parks Department were consulted and they were keen to see the project go ahead, advising that as it was classed as landscaping, no planning consent would be required.
Working with the Landscape Architect from Solway Heritage, a series of initial design options were produced for the granite garden and its location within the park. These were put on display in the local library for a two week period to enable the local community to view the proposals and make appropriate comments. Feedback was very supportive with many good suggestions and comments, and these were taken into account in the final design.
Tarmac Northern, the current owners of Craignair Quarry, the only local quarry still in production were approached and they were most supportive of the project, and kindly agreed to provide most of the granite blocks required, and indeed, they also delivered the selected blocks to the site.
Construction
Local Landscape Designers, Paterson Landscaping, were awarded the contract for the work, most of which was undertaken by local craftsmen, which ensured that the funding was benefiting the local economy. Work began in April 2003 and the development of the Garden was followed with great interest by local residents.
Whilst carrying out initial excavation of the site, a number of large granite boulders were discovered, having been buried there when the park was first laid out around 1900. Some of these were incorporated into the project.
It was found as work progressed that small changes were required to compensate, for example, for the lack of suitable river washed stones, and the siting of benches. This aside, the work progressed very much to plan, with the final installation being the split and polished boulder. This had been identified early on lying in a local field, and forms the key element within the design, commemorating the granite polishing process which originated in Dalbeattie in 1841. A Scottish Thistle has been incised into one of the highly polished surfaces, and represents a similarly incised polished block which was sent to the National Exhibition in London in 1851.
Completion
The Garden was completed in early June 2003, and has received many favourable comments from within the local community. The Garden will form a focal point for activities during the town's Festival of Granite, when there are many additional visitors to the town. Stone sculptors from France and Scotland were to carry out additional carving and sculpting work to enhance the site, and establish it as a unique piece of environmental artwork, a fitting tribute to the quarrying heritage of the town.
Funding
The project was made possible by the award of £25,000 from the Community Environmental Renewal Scheme, and enabled the Initiative to attract an additional £5,000 from the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme, administered locally by Solway Heritage. This money was to be used to carry out additional enhancement work.
Other Comments
The project achieved its aim of having a unique Granite Garden, which is a community asset. There were no major problems encountered in developing the project, mainly due to the planning and consultation process that was undertaken prior to a stone being laid, allowing local people to feel that they were a part of the project, and now they have something to be proud of.
Contact
Dalbeattie Community Initiative
Town Hall
High Street
Dalbeattie
Telephone: 01556 610117