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Bruce’s Web Arts & Augmented Reality Trail is an outdoor arts trail with accompanying smartphone app to commemorate the 750th Anniversary of King Robert the Bruce in North Carrick, South Ayrshire.

Trail goers will discover nine new pieces of outdoor art using the Bruce’s Web app with fun augmented reality elements and gaming challenges! Please note that due to the augmented reality features in the app, some models of smartphone may be incompatible with the Bruce’s Web app,

The trail was commissioned by North Carrick Community Benefit Company and delivered by CRAG Community Arts SCIO in collaboration with North Carrick residents. The project was made possible by funding from ScottishPower Renewables and the UK Government.

An outdoor trail and app to commemorate the 750^th anniversary of Robert the Bruce’s birth in North Carrick has come to life in 2024!

The trail – named Bruce’s Web – allows visitors to discover nine new pieces of outdoor art using the Bruce’s Web app with fun augmented reality elements and gaming challenges!

Our story begins in a small village on the west coast of Scotland called Turnberry. In this village stood Turnberry Castle, home to the Countess of Carrick, Marjorie.
Marjorie’s first husband, Adam of Kilconquhar, died during the Eighth Crusade in 1271. Robert de Brus, 6th Lord of Annandale fought alongside Adam during the Crusade and was now tasked with delivering the tragic news to Marjorie. Legend has it that upon seeing Robert de Brus and hearing of his news, Marjorie decided she would keep Robert captive until he agreed to marry her that same year. Robert and Marjorie went on to have eleven children.
On the 11th July 1274, as the sun shone across the Scottish countryside and the waves crashed against Turnberry Castle, Robert the Bruce was born. Robert was the third child of Robert de Brus and Marjorie, Countess of Carrick, but he was also their first-born son. Robert the Bruce led a very full and fascinating life in the 54 years before he died in 1329. Some parts of his life are well known like his victory at the Battle of Bannockburn, others not so well known like his love for eating eels, despite his physician warning him against it.

Each piece varies in scale and materials and was designed to complement and enhance the natural landscape in a sustainable way, and link to Robert the Bruce’s life in the area.

Turnberry –  Sea Gate – The Birth
Dunure – The Fish & Fire – The Feeding
Kirkoswald – Droplets – The Baptism
Maidens – Birlinn Prow – The Landing
Straiton – Axes – The Camp
Crosshill – Whitebred Shorthorn Cow – The Grazing
Kirkmichael – Spider – Ettercap
Minishant – War Horse – Cogadh
Maybole – Pillar – Lion of Carrick

Thanks to funding from the UK Government and North Carrick Community Benefit Company (NCCBC), CRAG Community Arts SCIO were awarded the contract to deliver the North Carrick Communities Arts Trail, with Bruce 750 themed sculptures across ‘Bruce’s Web’.

With the Maybole sculpture under construction separately by local artist John McKenna, the sculptures in the eight surrounding villages have been designed through a consultation process with each of the North Carrick communities.

This process has been fascinating, with CRAG artist David Powell – known for his Culzean and Rozelle steel and willow sculptures – visiting each of the six primary schools to discuss the Bruce 750 project while providing an insight to his own work practice as an artist.

 At the heart of the trail is the ancient Capital of Carrick, Maybole – with a special centrepiece to Bruce’s Web comprising of a Mercat Cross with a ‘Lion of Carrick’ sculpture on top. ‘The Lion of Carrick’ was a nickname given to Robert the Bruce. The piece has been created by Turnberry based artist John McKenna, renowned for large-scale public art projects from intricate cast bronzes to the colossal stainless-steel Shipbuilders at Port Glasgow. The new Mercat Cross commissioned by Maybole Community Council will also boast a pillar and commemorative plaques with the plaques telling the story of the town. The sculpture is designed to show the pride that the people of Maybole have in playing such an important part in the story of one of Scotland’s greatest kings.

Artist John McKenna said: “I was thrilled when asked by Maybole Community Council and NCCBC to create a Mercat Cross and have enjoyed making it for them, producing the pillar and the historical plaques that adorn it.

For the two decades that I have lived here in the Carrick area I have wanted to create a sculpture tribute to Robert the Bruce, who was born at Turnberry, the area I call home. The Mercat Cross, finished with my top finial of Robert the Bruce, Lion of Carrick, crowns the project for me and gives Maybole a unique centrepiece.”

The Mercat Cross ‘Lion of Carrick’ will be unveiled on St Andrews Day Saturday 30 November 2024 at 10.30am declaring the Bruce’s Web trail officially open. Visitors are encouraged to make their way round some or all the other villages to complete the trail.

Artist David Powell of CRAG said of the project:

‘This has been a fantastic opportunity to engage with local communities to draw out the children’s ideas and get feedback on their designs. With the artworks being crafted to last 25 years, the trail is set to be enjoyed by locals, visitors and tourists as well as providing a lasting legacy for the communities of Robert the Bruce anniversary for years to come!’

Mark Fletcher, NCCBC Chair said:

’The board are thrilled to see the completion of Bruce’s Web which is the final element of the last 2 years celebrating one of Scotland’s greatest Kings. Special thanks go to the young people of the area for their enthusiastic engagement and visions for the project. Connecting all the communities of North Carrick with this web of sculptures will not only appeal to locals but also visitors and keep people engaged with this wonderful area that we call home.’