On Thursday, our Primary 5 to 7 class from Portpatrick Primary set off on a truly memorable adventure to the awe-inspiring Garden of Cosmic Speculation, just outside Dumfries. We were joined by our friends from St Joseph’s Primary P5 to 7, making the day even more special. 🚌💫
We were lucky with the weather — warm, dry, and not a drop of rain in sight. Perfect conditions to explore the fascinating sights this unique garden had to offer. The gardens only open to the public one day every year and we were lucky enough to be able to granted an invitation to visit.
Designed by architect and theorist Charles Jencks and his wife Maggie Keswick, the garden is renowned for blending science, maths, nature and art in imaginative and thought-provoking ways. Every corner revealed spirals, patterns, sculptures and features that challenged us to stop, think and marvel.
🌿 Our pupils had a brilliant time exploring the different zones, from artistic landscapes and unusual buildings to cleverly designed spaces and curious plants. Each path seemed to lead to something unexpected.
🐌 A real favourite was Snail Hill, a spiralling grassy mound that plays tricks on your sense of direction. Made entirely from earth and grass, it was a gentle challenge to walk, but what a view from the top.
🌉 Another fascinating moment was learning about the two red bridges. The original Japanese-style red bridge is a striking feature of the garden, and when a railway had to pass through the grounds, the owners ensured the new bridge matched in colour and design to keep the garden’s harmony. This thoughtful mix of natural beauty and human impact really captured the children’s interest.
To top off our day, both schools took part in some fantastic STEM challenges:
🔍 Find the Fibonacci! – We searched for natural spirals and patterns in plants and surroundings.
🦆 Bridge Building! – Could we construct a bridge strong enough to support a rubber duck for 10 seconds? The pupils were up for the challenge.
🧱 LEGO Structure Design! – With one of the garden’s wooden structures damaged by storms, we were challenged to create a new version using LEGO. It had to be strong, creative and in keeping with the spirit of the garden.
It was a day full of learning, creativity and fun, and it was even better shared with our friends from St Joseph’s. A huge thank you to all the staff and organisers who helped make this joint experience one to remember. 🌟👏
🔹 SHANARRI Indicators:
- Achieving: Pupils developed skills in STEM and problem-solving
- Healthy: Outdoor learning supported wellbeing and physical activity
- Included: Everyone participated and collaborated across schools
🔹 UNCRC Rights of the Child:
- Article 28: Right to education
- Article 29: Education must develop every child’s personality and talents
- Article 31: Right to relax, play, and take part in cultural and creative activities
🔹 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- Goal 4: Quality Education
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
