The Cupar silo, the only structure of its kind in Scotland, was built in 1964 for bulk storage of sugar. Adjoining the large sugar beet processing plant, which had been in operation since its construction in 1926, the giant silo presented a great symbol of success for the British Sugar Corporation at a time when the industry seemed at its peak.
Its working life was to be short lived however with the unexpected announcement that, due to uncertainty caused by changes to government contracts and subsidies, the factory was to close. Less than 8 years after erection, in 1971, the factory closed down leaving many people unemployed and a lot of ill feeling.
It was subsequently bought by agricultural agents Alexander Inglis & Son and used for grain storage until the early 2000s when once again the withdrawal of government subsidies, this time for grain storage, meant it was no longer viable.
In August 2005, it was taken on by its current owners and in 2008, with the discovery of an accessible access hatch into the body of the silo, its potential as an alternative creative space was revealed. Since that time, there have been several successful artistic ventures utilising the unique qualities of the building including installation, film, sound, dance and performance.
The ‘harnessing’ of the extraordinary acoustics within the silo body were undoubtedly taken to a new level with the studied work of Resono in May 2016. The charity Silo Projects was subsequently formed in August 2016 and serves to encourage experimental art and appreciation of the unique industrial heritage of the Cupar Silo.
Kathy Watts
Silo Projects
