A flock appears to burst upward from a rocky base, giving a moment of movement to the civic landscape outside the county offices.
Quick facts
- Date
- 1980-84
- Architect / designer
- Malcolm Robertson
- Type
- Abstract public sculpture
- Designation
- Listed building, Category C (LB51795)
- OS grid reference
- NO 27201 01142
Architecture and continuing use
A moulded resin outcrop anchors an asymmetric metal framework carrying irregular wing-like forms. The composition shifts from heavy base to open sky, making motion rather than mass its principal effect.
Its story
Town Artist Malcolm Robertson developed The Birds between 1980 and 1984 after succeeding David Harding. It continued the practice of creating site-specific work for everyday routes while establishing Robertson's own sculptural language.
Why it is included
Prominent siting, characteristic authorship and its place in the second phase of Glenrothes Town Art justify Category C protection.
What to notice
- The contrast between rock-like plinth and light metal frame.
- Wing forms arranged without a single fixed viewpoint.
- The sculpture's alignment with North Street and civic offices.
Reading the surroundings
View from the public pavement and surrounding civic space. Keep clear of traffic and do not climb on the resin or metal components.
Timeline
- 1978 Malcolm Robertson succeeded Harding as the New Town's resident artist.
- 1980-84 The evolving flock took shape for the North Street setting.
- 2011 Formal designation acknowledged its place in the national collection.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The checked sources provide a date range rather than one installation year.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: The Birds, Glenrothes, LB51795 — Designation category, mapped location, date, fabric, authorship and architectural or historical interest.
- Fife Art Trail — Current public-trail context for Glenrothes Town Art and its outdoor collection.
Location
OS grid reference NO 27201 01142 · Location confidence: High: the statutory designation supplies an official mapped National Grid Reference and the current source confirms the Place relationship or present identity. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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