Modern Wilderness | 2019 | 28th July – 14th September

Modern Wilderness Exhibition | Sunday 28th July – 14th September

The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust | Caerlaverock Wetland Centre | Eastpark Farm | Dumfriesshire | Scotland | DG1 4RS

Exhibition 10am – 5pm daily, free entrance. Venue telephone 01387 770200

An exhibition of oil paintings and gouache studies inspired by the diverse habitats and nature reserves of Galloway, exploring ecology and contemplating modern wilderness.

Landscapes, seascapes and nature studies including framed as well as unframed original work. Mounted landscape and wildlife photographs taken in nature reserves and local areas as well as a new field poetry chapbook ‘Low Lands’ are also available for sale as well as art prints and cards.

Caerlaverock WWT

Caerlaverock Wetlands Centre is part of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and is a fantastic place to watch birds up close with a variety of hides and lots of different species to look out for, well worth a visit, visit page for prices. (Free entry to the exhibition in the visitor centre).

I am so excited to have been invited to exhibit in this beautiful Wetlands Trust site. When I started my nature reserves and wild places project, my intention was to be able to promote places which champion and protect nature, so I’m glad to have this opportunity.

Part of the exhibition in Caerlaverock Wetland Centre

Caerlaverock Wetland Centre is situated on the north Solway coast near Dumfries. The 1,400 acre wild reserve is known for its vast flocks of over-wintering water-birds, including up to 40,000 barnacle geese from Arctic Svalbard and large numbers of pink-footed geese and whooper swans. It also provides refuge for rare natterjack toads, ospreys, peregrines, marsh and hen harriers. It has been awarded status as a Dragonfly Hotspot by the British Dragonfly Society (BDS) and now is a great time to see them as well as butterflies in the summer wildflower meadows.

The exhibition can be found in the gallery in the visitor centre, with facilities and lovely fairtrade Coffee Shop.


Visual artist Catherine Coulson takes inspiration from the unique ecology and biodiversity found in the nature reserves and wild habitats of Galloway. She contemplates our connection with nature, in particular our response to the impermanence and shifting atmosphere of natural places, not often experienced in modern living. Her creative process involves fieldwork, research, poetry and photography which inform her studio oil paintings. Concentrating on colour relationships, line, form and gestural marks, she makes expressive, impressionist and abstract paintings looking beyond visual representation to describe an experience.’

Read more on Caerlaverock website

Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve and Caerlaverock Castle

Explore the huge Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve with salt marsh and estuary habitat to enjoy – Caerlaverock NNR is a special place, overlapping with a number of protected areas, including Solway Firth Spacial Area of Conservation, Upper Solway Flats and Marshes Special Protection Area, SSSI, and Ramsar Site and With Estuary National Scenic Area.

The unique triangular Caerlaverock Castle is nearby too. 

Getting there:

By bus

The nearest bus station is Dumfries. Stagecoach service D6A takes around 30 minutes. There is then a walk of around 1 mile from this bus stop along a country lane.

By rail

Nearest railway station is Dumfries (postcode: DG1 1NF).

By bike

WWT Caerlaverock is located on the C2C Cycle Route 7. There is secure covered bike parking at the centre.

By car

The centre lies 9 miles south east of Dumfries. Follow tourist signs from A75 west of Annan or St.Michael’s church in Dumfries.