DETAILS of the summer solstice celebrations at the Crawick Multiverse near Sanquhar have been revealed.

Crowds gathered at the venue in June last year to experience the first moments of sunrise on the longest day of the year - and the event was such a success that a whole week of activities is planned for the 2023 solstice.

The Crawick Multiverse Trust and The Open University (OU) in Scotland will co-host an even bigger and extended programme.

Summer Solstice Week, co-hosted by the Crawick Multiverse Trust and the Open University, will begin on Sunday, June 18 with a family-friendly open day featuring tours and interactive talks on site.

The evening will see the launch of Solstice Seminars - a programme of talks from leading specialists in Space Science from The Open University, including professors Monica Grady CBE, Stephen Peake and Mahesh Anand, in Sanquhar Town Hall.

Throughout the week, young people and teachers from local schools and community groups will also participate in tours and workshops delivered by OU and supported by the Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) programme for Dumfries and Galloway.

Activities for schools will take place on site and in schools and other community venues including A‘ the Airts in Sanquhar.

On the summer solstice itself - Wednesday, June 21 - a sunrise ceremony will start the day at 4.35am, led by Open University professor of religious studies, Graham Harvey and professional storyteller, Gordon MacLellan.

Throughout the day, visitors will have the opportunity to engage in a range of activities including self-guided sensory tours, guided tours, yoga sessions and tai chi demonstrations.

Cathy Agnew, one of the trustees at the Crawick Multiverse Trust, said: “We’re thrilled to be inviting visitors and locals to our unique space at Crawick to mark the summer solstice in whatever way they choose. 

"We believe the site and the spectacular surrounding countryside lends itself perfectly for visitors to celebrate the solstice, alone or with their friends and family.

"We are delighted to be co-hosting the whole community programme with the Open University in Scotland and to be working closely with local schools, businesses and venues to ensure the wider community are very much part of the celebrations.

"We hope visitors will also enjoy more of what our beautiful region has to offer.”

Derek Goldman, senior knowledge exchange manager at the OU in Scotland, added: “We are delighted to be co-hosting the Solstice Week celebrations at Crawick this year.

"The Multiverse is a stunning and unique site which brings together the wonders of art and science.

"With students across the whole of Scotland, including 2,900 in south Scotland, the Open University is pleased to be delivering talks and workshops in the programme with some of our leading experts in space science and the arts, as part of our cultural and community engagement work across Scotland.”

To find out more and to purchase tickets for any of the events taking place during Summer Solstice Week at the Multiverse, visit www.crawickmultiverse.co.uk.