Work to begin on Scotland-England border sculpture in March

Work will start on the Star of Caledonia at the Scotland-England border near Gretna in a matter of months

Work on a giant sculpture near the border between Scotland and England is scheduled to start in March next year.

Standing 33m (108ft) high, the Star of Caledonia is to be built near Gretna Green in Dumfries and Galloway.

Revised plans for the project - which has been in the pipeline for more than 20 years - were approved earlier this year.

The artwork is expected to cost £12m, with half of that to be met by energy firm CWP Energy. It is hoped the work will be complete by the spring of 2027 and attract more than 200,000 visitors a year.

It is hoped the sculpture will be completed by the spring of 2027

The idea of a landmark to mark the border first surfaced nearly a quarter of a century ago.

A competition to design the massive structure was won in 2011 by Cecil Balmond's Star of Caledonia.

Planning permission was secured but the project was halted due to funding issues.

However, it was revived and fresh planning permission was sought earlier this year.

The revised plans also include a visitor centre

Now work is set to start on the scheme within a matter of months with half of its costs coming from wind farm firm CWP Energy.

The project has divided opinion with some describing it as "very attractive" but others criticising the design as "truly awful".

Lucy Houston, who chairs the Star of Caledonia Trust, said it was delighted to have the level of support from CWP confirmed.

"This partnership represents a huge step forward for the project and is a testament to the enduring support from our local community, Dumfries and Galloway Council, and elected councillors," she said.

"Their belief in the vision has brought us to this milestone."

The Star of Caledonia hopes to attract more than 200,000 visitors a year

Rod Wood, managing director of CWP Energy, said: "This is going to be a spectacle that embodies Scotland's legacy of innovation and its commitment to green energy.

"The Star of Caledonia symbolises the brilliance of James Clerk Maxwell, the 'Einstein of Scotland'.

"Einstein once said he stood on Maxwell's shoulders, and this sculpture reflects that legacy of light, energy, and progress.

"It is more than just a sculpture, it's a national statement."

Alan Walker, treasurer of the James Clerk Maxwell Foundation, said the sculpture would be a "fitting tribute" as the bicentenary of his birth approached in 2031.