Thistle Planter
Linlithgow, Scotland
Granfab Ltd was commissioned to design and engineer a bespoke planter and sculpture to enhance the beauty of the local town. To ensure it can be enjoyed for generations to come, the team also enlisted the support of local galvanizers to protect the structure against rust and corrosion for up to 70 years.
Kevin Hope, Director at Granfab Ltd, said:
“As part of their commitment to horticultural, environmental, and community activities, we were approached by Burgh Beautiful Linlithgow a few months ago with a request to create a bespoke installation to take pride of place in the heart of the town, near the Palace. It sounded like a great project, and one we were thrilled to be involved in.
The sculpture took several weeks to fabricate, using a combination of steel tubes and spheres to form the iconic Scottish thistles. We shaped and welded each piece by hand to give the flowers depth and character, and rolled steel plate to form the base planter. Every element was carefully considered, both structurally and artistically, to ensure the piece would complement its surroundings while standing up to the elements.
To provide long-term protection and maintain its visual appeal, we chose hot-dip galvanizing. Not only does it offer excellent resistance to corrosion, but it also gives the sculpture a clean, uniform finish that highlights the fine detailing of the thistles. It’s a robust, sustainable solution that ensures this public artwork will continue to look good and perform well for decades.”
Photographs © Kevin Hope