Castle Square: Talk and Walk by Matt Baker
Castle of St John, Stranraer and Guided Town trail led by John Picken. A chance to meet Matt Baker, one of the artists behind this national award-winning town square, and hear about its inspiration and the background to its design and build. Matt, whose grandfather was born in Bellevilla Street in the town, worked with fellow artist David Ralston and poet Mary Smith to interpret Castle Square, making use of the theme of water moving, in burn and ocean, so important to Stranraer’s position and history. Their work, commissioned by Smith Scott Mullan Design Associates, won both the Scottish Design Awards best public realm project 2011 and the Saltire Society Award for Art in Architecture 2011. Castle of St John itself is a late medieval tower house, built around 1500 by the Adairs of Kilhilt, one of the most powerful families in Wigtownshire. In 1820 the building was converted into the town prison and the original cells still survive. There are superb views over the town and Loch Ryan from the castle roof. Guided town trail around Historic Stranraer led by Museum Curator John Picken.