Larkhall Academy pupils exhibit outdoor Local Landscape Heroes artworks

Chatelherault Country Park, Friday 29 and Saturday 30 September

Artworks inspired by the landscapes and trees found in the Clyde and Avon Valley by Larkhall Academy students, will be displayed in a special outdoor exhibition at the Cadzow Oaks in Chatelherault Country Park on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 September.

18 second year students at Larkhall Academy took part in the CAVLP Heritage Local Landscape Heroes project as part of their Art and Design class earlier this year, with class teacher Jen Rourke and CAVLP Heritage Officer Paul Murtagh.

The Local Landscape Heroes project celebrates the people who have shaped and recorded the Clyde and Avon Valley throughout history to the modern day, from farmers to millers and poets to painters. The project is led by CAVLP Heritage and managed by Northlight Heritage, with support from Historic Environment Scotland and LEADER and Heritage Lottery Fund supported Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape Partnership (CAVLP).

The pupils researched art and artists inspired by the local landscape in the Clyde and Avon Valley from their classroom. A trip to Low Parks Museum, Hamilton, gave the students the chance to view the artwork they had been researching in person.

The Millheugh Bridge by Rena Clark was a popular favourite, which can be viewed on the artuk.org website here. One student said, “The painting depicts Millheugh Bridge and the landscape around it. Paintings such as this are important because artists can show us how things looked in the past.”

This was followed by a trip to Chatelherault Country Park to view the famous Cadzow Oaks. The Oaks have stood for centuries in the Country Park and have inspired local artists such as Alexander Fraser and Sam Bough.

The students photographed and sketched the woodland to use as references to draw from back in the classroom.  Using watercolour, pencil, pastel and paint; each student had their own unique style which they captured the landscape in.

Another pupil said, “I have really enjoyed the project. My favourite part was visiting the museums and sites where the landscape paintings were created. I have also learnt so much about Chatelherault and the history of our local area.”

Another commented, “I definitely enjoyed the project. My favourite part was painting and sketching at Chatelherault Country Park, it was so fun! I also found it really interesting learning about the old paintings.”

CAVLP Heritage Project Officer Paul Murtagh said, “The results of the pupils’ hard work were exhibited at Larkhall Academy in June; the event was attended by local councillors, museum staff, teachers and parents. We hope that as many people take the opportunity as possible to enjoy the wonderful paintings now they will be displayed for a second time amongst the Cadzow Oaks in the setting that inspired them. The students had so much fun learning about the artists of their local area and becoming inspired by the surrounding landscape too.”

The exhibition is part of the wider Local Landscape Heroes project, which includes the creation of a Local Landscape Heroes digital art trail which can be viewed below and at www.clydeandavonvalley.org/museum, and a trail from Strathclyde Country Park through Motherwell to RSPB Scotland Baron’s Haugh created by Phoenix Futures, due to launch later this year.

Visit the artworks at the Cadzow Oaks in Chatelherault Country Park on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 September. To find out more about CAVLP Heritage projects and how you can get involved, contact the team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow them on Facebook www.facebook.com/CAVLPHeritage or on Twitter @CAVLPHeritage.