Martin Whitfield MSP has visited the Dirleton Solar Walk project, a scale model of the Solar System developed in partnership with Dirleton Primary School, to find out more about the unique initiative and the benefits it offers to local pupils and the whole community and help mark its official opening.
The South Scotland MSP was invited by Dan Arnold, a local resident and Associate Professor at Heriot Watt University, who has led the initiative, a collaboration between the school, Heriot University, the University of Edinburgh and Glasgow School of Art.
The project entails a 1:3.6 billion scale model of the Solar System stretching just over 1.24kms from Dirleton village green to the Archerfield walled gardens. The installation consists of a set of plinths placed along the John Muir Way between the two locations, with each plinth containing a scale model of the planet (or the sun) spaced out at the correct scaled distance to reflect the actual solar system.
It provides a unique educational experience, with further details and information available at each plinth along the walk. For instance, the sun (which is 38cm in diameter) is 40m away from the earth, which is a tiny 0.35cm and 1.24km away from Neptune, but only 1.4cm in diameter. The pupils of P4-P7 at Dirleton Primary School did the maths to calculate all these diameters and distances and learned about triangulation and maps to help set out the installation along the path.
Mr Whitfield, who taught at Dirleton Primary School prior to being elected to the Scottish Parliament, was pleased to join Mr Arnold, other local representatives, and the pupils who were involved in the project at the Sun before walking along the installation to Archerfield.
Speaking after the visit, Martin Whitfield MSP said:
“I was delighted to have the opportunity to return to Dirleton and discover more about the village’s unique Solar Walk project. The installation offers an accessible opportunity to consider the size of the Solar System and practical ways of learning more about the sun and planets.
“It’s a fantastic educational initiative which really helps to bring the vastness of the Solar System to life for children and adults alike. I’m grateful to Dan for inviting me to find out more about the Solar Walk and to everyone who was involved in designing and completing this stunning and special installation.”
Dan Arnold said:
“This project took only 6 months from inception to completion, which is a testament to the amazing work of so many in the village and from our partners at Dirleton School, the Royal Observatory and Glasgow School of Art. It’s been an enormous team effort, and having so many people excited about what we’ve built makes it all worthwhile.”
Emma Shepherd, Principle Teacher at Dirleton Primary (East Lothian Courier teacher of the year 2024) said:
“This innovative project is unique to Dirleton. It has engaged and enthused the pupils both in and out of school, enriching our learning and enhancing community engagement further. This sustainable resource will be utilised creatively to learn across the curriculum, for years to come.”
Millie (pupil at Dirleton Primary) said:
“The children have been really connected to this project and we have been involved in lots of activities including making Lego aliens in groups and creating clay aliens too.”
Elly (from Archerfield Walled Garden) said:
“We are delighted to be involved in such an innovative and exciting project linking us and Dirleton Primary School to Heriot Watt, The Royal Observatory and the Cosmos!
“The Solar Walk is another great reason, for all ages, to visit Archerfield Estate and Archerfield Walled Garden and all we have to offer”
Further information about the project can be found at a supporting website https://dirleton.solar, which was developed in part through the ideas and questions of the pupils involved in the project.
Mr Whitfield has also tabled a motion at the Scottish Parliament welcoming and highlighting the initiative.