Debate often rages as to whether we should charge to visit our museums and galleries, or whether there should be free access for all. Stroll around the streets of Edinburgh at the moment and you can enjoy an awe-inspiring exhibition in the fresh air - and I do mean fresh! - for absolutely nothing. Britain from the Air is a Street Gallery Exhibition, beautifully put together and developed jointly by wecommunic8 and the Royal Geographical Society. One hundred superb images of our country as we seldom see it, dot the streets of the city from Greyfriars to Princes Street, Rose Street, the Mound, St. Andrew's Square and more. You really must take the time to stop awhile and drink in the splendour
that is Britain from above. For a country the size of ours, the
landscapes we have, and the environments they contain, are amongst the most diverse across the planet. As you wander amongst the pictures you will become more and more aware of just how inspiring, how awesomely breath-taking and uplifting the beauty that is all around us can be.
So, which iconic landmarks have been selected to grace this exhibition with their presence. The mystery that is Stonehenge, the magnificence that is Buckingham Palace, the natural beauty that is Ullswater, Dartmoor and its Tors, Chesil Beach, and the Somerset Levels, and the mind-blowing creation that is the Giant's Causeway, they are all there. Man-made constructions such as the Angel of the North, the Forth Bridge, the Steel Industry, and the somewhat bizarre Portmeirion all pop up along the way. Fishing nets, pop festivals, oyster farms, big dippers, the London Eye, all help to give a wonderfully rounded picture of our nation. And of course for the Scots among us there are many of their favourite haunts. St. Kilda, Ben Nevis, Holyrood, and Edinburgh New Town to name but a few, ensure that every part of the United Kingdom is covered.
But this is not purely about visual imagery. There are wonderful snippets of information accompanying each picture, along with interesting, and often amusing, bits of trivia. Did you know that the Angel of the North is one of the most viewed pieces of art in the world. No? Well it is. More than one person every second, 100,000 every day, or around thirty three million every year, many from passing trains and cars, catch a glimpse of this amazing sculpture. And did you know that Ben Nevis is a favourite place for publicity stunts? A barrel of beer has been carried to the top, complete with wooden legs allowing it to be set down for a rest. A wheelbarrow has been pushed there and back, and in 2006 a piano mysteriously appeared at the summit. Why? Why not! You can learn about the tradition of Swan Upping, the courageous Briggers who constructed the Forth Bridge ....... the list is endless. And even the odd bit of controversy slips in. Wind Farms - a vision of the future or a blot on the landscape. Crop Circles - man-made deception or alien intervention ..... It's all there for you to see. Make sure that you finish your journey in the unique space that is Festival Square. A giant map of Great Britain has been laid out, you can walk your way around the images contained in the exhibition, and there are yet more interesting snippets of information for you to absorb.
Britain from the Air has been brilliantly put together. The imagery is amazing, the information is short and easy to understand, the whole thing is inspirational. It celebrates, educates, leads you on a journey of exploration, and encourages you to see the world around you in a different light and develop a sense of pride in your landscapes and environments. So off you go, folks, wonder, learn, but most of all enjoy.
Debate often rages as to whether we should charge to visit our museums and galleries, or whether there should be free access for all. Stroll around the streets of Edinburgh at the moment and you can enjoy an awe-inspiring exhibition in the fresh air - and I do mean fresh! - for absolutely nothing. Britain from the Air is a Street Gallery Exhibition, beautifully put together and developed jointly by wecommunic8 and the Royal Geographical Society. One hundred superb images of our country as we seldom see it, dot the streets of the city from Greyfriars to Princes Street, Rose Street, the Mound, St. Andrew's Square and more. You really must take the time to stop awhile and drink in the splendour
landscapes we have, and the environments they contain, are amongst the most diverse across the planet. As you wander amongst the pictures you will become more and more aware of just how inspiring, how awesomely breath-taking and uplifting the beauty that is all around us can be.
But this is not purely about visual imagery. There are wonderful snippets of information accompanying each picture, along with interesting, and often amusing, bits of trivia. Did you know that the Angel of the North is one of the most viewed pieces of art in the world. No? Well it is. More than one person every second, 100,000 every day, or around thirty three million every year, many from passing trains and cars, catch a glimpse of this amazing sculpture. And did you know that Ben Nevis is a favourite place for publicity stunts? A barrel of beer has been carried to the top, complete with wooden legs allowing it to be set down for a rest. A wheelbarrow has been pushed there and back, and in 2006 a piano mysteriously appeared at the summit. Why? Why not! You can learn about the tradition of Swan Upping, the courageous Briggers who constructed the Forth Bridge ....... the list is endless. And even the odd bit of controversy slips in. Wind Farms - a vision of the future or a blot on the landscape. Crop Circles - man-made deception or alien intervention ..... It's all there for you to see. Make sure that you finish your journey in the unique space that is Festival Square. A giant map of Great Britain has been laid out, you can walk your way around the images contained in the exhibition, and there are yet more interesting snippets of information for you to absorb. 
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