Pack a picnic and enjoy a free summer fun day out at Stockingfield Bridge

Scottish Canals are inviting you to pack a picnic and head to Stockingfield Bridge in Glasgow next month to enjoy a fun, free summer day out.

In celebration of the newly installed community artworks at the award-winning site, Scottish Canals will host an afternoon of storytelling, art and entertainment on Sunday, August 20th.

The event will be free and open to all from noon-3pm. Visitors are encouraged to pack a picnic and enjoy some storytelling sessions from Scottish storyteller Betty Skelton, whilst visiting the sites fantastic art installations.

The £14m active travel bridge, which was officially opened last December, connects Ruchill, Maryhill and Gilshochill over the Forth & Clyde Canal.

The development of the foot and cycle bridge represents significant travel improvements for those communities throughout Glasgow. 

Eight community artwork projects are currently being installed around the site, bringing life to the public space. Each project has a strong local connection having been designed with input from local residents.

They range from pieces that showcase the area’s industrial past, to community designed ceramic mosaics.

Work is currently underway to construct a 121-metre mystical serpent, the Beithir, which will form the centrepiece of the artworks.

The large snakelike creature in Gaelic folklore, has been formed using reclaimed material which will be covered in mesh and coated in ferro cement with a tile finish. The snake’s head will stretch three metres wide by two metre high and four metres long. 

Those who visit the site are encouraged to pay a visit to Make it Glasgow, a social benefit, not for profit business, to find out how they can play their part in tile making for the site at Stockingfield Bridge.

Scottish Canals Chief Executive John Paterson said: “During the development of Stockingfield Bridge and parkland we were determined that this would be an iconic structure that inspired nationally but very much belonged to the local community expressing their identity.

“Scottish Canals worked hard to listen to the community, to engage with their ideas, build confidence and to celebrate the local voices.

“Working with our art curator Nichol Wheatley we engaged local artists and worked with the community to choose the first eight art projects for the site. It is wonderful to be able to invite the surrounding communities to celebrate those art installations and enjoy the community space that has been developed for all.”

Karen McGregor, Scotland Director at Sustrans, added: “Stockingfield Bridge both connects the communities of Ruchill, Gilshochill and Maryhill, and creates a new landmark destination where residents and visitors to the area can relax and enjoy what the Forth and Clyde Canal has to offer.

“The local community have been at the heart of this project from the outset, and it is fantastic to see their voices and history celebrated through the newly installed artworks in this space.”

Stockingfield Bridge recently wowed judges and won Project of the Year (under £20 million,) category at the 2023 Construction News Awards as well as the ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers) Peoples Choice Award 2022.

The national infrastructure project and associated artworks have been funded by the Scottish Government through Places for Everyone, an active travel infrastructure fund administered by Sustrans Scotland, Glasgow City Council’s Vacant Derelict Land Fund and SCAPE.