Stack pack’s mobile stones: East Lothian artist claims spiritual benefits of balancing

IT requires patience, persistence and painstaking concentration.

But get the balance right and it can produce beautiful works of transient art that defy gravity.

Artist James Page, 52, believes the discipline involved in stone stacking has physical, mental and spiritual benefits.

James, from Dunbar, was a painter and sculptor but in 2015 – after watching videos online – he discovered a passion for balancing rocks.

James now holds workshops in schools in East Lothian to get kids involved.

He said: “You see the children really focusing and calming their minds. The concentration involved means your mind is completely clear when piling the stones.

“Kids with ADHD and short attention spans benefit from it. There are spiritual and physical benefits – it is a form of yoga but one step more natural because we are
interacting with the environment.

“It also encourages patience. The sculptures can collapse mid-way, so you need to start from scratch.”

James, who organises the European St o n e St a c k i n g C h a m p i o n s h i p s , thinks the hobby benefits people with mental health problems.

Frank Reilly, Director, of Scottish Recovery Network, said: “Recovery is
based on relationships and connection.

“The arts and engaging with nature has a crucial role to play in this.”