Jupiter Artland is a fascinating, open-air exhibit located on the grounds of a stunning Jacobean manor house at the outskirts of Edinburgh.
While it's classified as a sculpture park, that label hardly does justice to the scale of this project or to its wide appeal.
Robert and Nicky Wilson bought the picturesque Bonnington House in 1999, and they soon set about transforming the substantial grounds to form a canvas for a wide variety of artworks for visitors to ponder.
"Firmament" by Andy Gormley, one of the fascinating sculptures at Jupiter Artland — Photo courtesy of Jupiter Artland
Nicky, herself a sculptor, found inspiration for the park in Ian Hamilton Findlay's Little Sparta, a garden set in the Pentland Hills.
However, unlike Little Sparta, Jupiter Artland welcomes and includes children. It also seeks, through workshops and talks, to encourage visitors to create their own art.
As the artist helped inspire the park, it's perhaps fitting that you can find a number of sculptures by Ian Hamilton Findlay within Jupiter Artland.
The beautiful and haunting Temple of Apollo nestles snugly in a tranquil wooded glade. Through the columns of the temple visitors can see another of Hamilton Findlay's works, the exquisite bust of Sappho known as Xth Muse.
"Xth Muse" by Ian Hamilton Findlay — Photo courtesy of Jupiter Artland
There are also a number of lovely pieces by Andy Goldsworthy, rightly lauded for his work with found and natural objects, from which he creates semi-permanent and permanent installations.
Clay Tree Wall explores the surface between the visible face of nature and the roots hidden beneath the surface to comment on the sometimes hidden strands that connect us with our environment.
Jupiter Artland also hosts an incredible expanded field sculpture entitled Firmament by the famous Andy Gormley. The steel frame structure, which is modeled after the body of the artist, perches on the crest of a hill.
Its form dissolves and resolves as the viewer walks around it, bringing to mind the forms of the constellations in the sky above it.
"Cells of Life" by Charles Jencks — Photo courtesy of Jupiter Artland
These and many more permanent installations are joined by a series of guest artworks that are hosted both in the grounds and in exhibition spaces inside Bonnington House.
Bonnington House is also the setting for a program of talks and workshops on writing, art, sculpture and live performance art.
Jupiter Artland features a lovely gift shop, where you can browse a wide selection of books on art and sculpture and also buy wonderfully quirky gifts ranging from candles and ceramics to stationary and art prints.
The cafe, hosted by Milk, serves a selection of light snacks and meals focusing on wholesome soups, sandwiches, salads and quiche. They also have a kids' menu, which includes a good value lunch bag (a roll, home-made flapjack, grapes and a bottle of water).
The cafe also hosts evening dinner gatherings that help showcase local produce complemented by foraged ingredients.
