NO2408 : There was an Englishman, a Scotsman, a Welshman and an Irishman...

taken 6 months ago, near to Falkland, Fife, Scotland

There was an Englishman, a Scotsman, a Welshman and an Irishman...
There was an Englishman, a Scotsman, a Welshman and an Irishman...
... and they were all invited to submit designs for mileposts for the National Cycle Network. Although sometimes referred to as the "English", "Welsh", "Scottish" and "Irish" mileposts respectively, mileposts of all designs can be found anywhere throughout the United Kingdom. The Irish design - "Tracks" by David Dudgeon was finalised somewhat later than the others and as a result arrived too late for many of the installations in England, Scotland and Wales, although they are quite widely found in Ireland. I have been looking out for many years before finally finding this example located outside the "Pillars" farm shop and cafe on the Falkland estate in Fife.

At the base of the milepost is this poem by David Dudgeon
Down a wandering path
I have travelled,
where the setting sun
lies upon the ground.
The tracks are hard and dry
smoothened with
the weather's wear.
My mind did move
with them that had
before me been,
trodding down the ground
a track for me to follow.
Leaving marks for others
a sign for them to follow.
National Cycle Network mileposts :: NZ1665

The National Cycle Network was opened in 2000.To commemorate this major project by Sustrans, the Royal Bank of Scotland donated a thousand mileposts to the project.

There are four different designs of Millennium Mileposts. The first post to be commissioned was designed by the English artist, John Mills, and his piece was entitled the Fossil Tree. The post takes the form of an abstract tree with relief imagery of fossils depicting the passage of time from early primitive creatures to the ultimate demise of fossil fuel driven technology. This milepost is sometimes nicknamed "Fish on its nose".

The Scottish sculptor Iain McColl designed the second post, the Cockerel. The influences behind this one are Miro's "The Fork" and Branusci's "The Cock". This design has additional space that has been left for partners to cast their own short message.

The design by Welsh artist, Andrew Rowe, is based upon the nautical and industrial heritage of his native Swansea and can have up to four directional fingers. An alternative interpretation is that it is inspired by the design of a Welsh love-spoon.

The fourth post is titled "Tracks", designed by Belfast artist David Dudgeon. The main design on the post shows the tracks made in the landscape by cyclists. This is complemented by a piece of text exploring sensations and observations one makes whilst travelling through various environments. The "Irish" design was the last to be implemented and installed. It was only at last in 2024 that I got to see one.
Although sometimes identified as the "English", "Welsh", "Scottish" and "Irish" mileposts respectively, mileposts of all designs can be found anywhere throughout the United Kingdom.

Sustrans initiated a program for volunteers to repaint all the mileposts in 2021.


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Oliver Dixon and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Paths Business, Retail, Services other tags: NCN Milepost Farm Shop and Coffee Shop Click a tag, to view other nearby images.
This photo is linked from: Articles: · My own day in History Title Clusters: · There was an Englishman, a Scotsman, a Welshman and an Irishman... [2] ·
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NO2408, 16 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Oliver Dixon   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Tuesday, 7 May, 2024   (more nearby)
Submitted
Friday, 10 May, 2024
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! NO 2407 0824 [10m precision]
WGS84: 56:15.6338N 3:13.6383W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! NO 24078 08236
View Direction
NORTH (about 0 degrees)
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Image Type (about): close look 
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