Making Waves

ARK ON SCOTTISH HILLSIDE ROCKS THE BOAT

Whatever our faith, the story of Noah's Ark resonates with our contemporary world; one full of animals and birds, the elements (rain, sun, rainbows) and drama, under threat from human selfishness and environmental disaster, and in search of hope ... Maybe that's why the large wooden frame of an Ark, constructed from European Larch on a Scottish hillside, is currently causing a bit of a stir. Perched overlooking the Kyles of Bute, the sculpture is generating some impactful and emotional responses from the locals and those further afield.

Created by local resident David Blair, and described by him as "Environment Art on a grand scale designed to symbolise climate change and the extinction crises", the structure, using local wood, felled to avoid the spread of a fungal disease (that David thinks is being exacerbated by climate change), was erected with the help of his brother and a friend. It was assembled over the same time two weeks when the 'Impossible Rebellion', saw a series of nonviolent climate change protests up and down the UK organised by Extinction Rebellion, (23rd August 2021 to 4th September 2021), calling for an end to investment in fossil fuels.

The 20m long, 6m high, 5m wide boat 'sculpture' currently stands in a field that David has leased, about half a mile up the road from the pretty village of Tighnabruaich, on the Cowal peninsula. Not only is there a convenient parking spot nearby, but the Ark itself has a bench seat all around the bottom so visitors can sit and contemplate. Whilst Argyll and Bute Council's planning department said they were investigating some negativity on social media and have "opened an enforcement file" around possible planning issues, the majority of comments have been positive and David told The Guardian it was also already stimulating constructive discussion around climate change amongst the Scottish church and with schools arranging visits:-

"I hope it stands as a symbol of strength and urgency. I thought I'd have to put up signs explaining it, but its already being well visited and the majority interpret it to be about climate change, sea levels and Cop26, the climate conference taking place in Glasgow this year."

Speaking to Argyll Media he added, "Without thinking big and taking bold enough action, a million species are threatened with extinction and a third of tree species. This is a call to action - we cannot afford to miss this boat. Climate change is by far the greatest threat that humanity, and most of life on earth, has ever faced and it is only us that can do anything about it."