From Botticelli’s Venus to Michelangelo’s David and the voluptuous beauties of Rubens, the nude has always held a treasured place in the history of art.
Yet while artists have celebrated the naked form in countless paintings and statues, those marvelling at the works have tended to be fully clothed.
Now, however, it is the art-lovers themselves who are the nudes.
For dozens of naturists are planning to strip off for a clothes-free day-trip to admire what’s on display at Scotland’s largest outdoor exhibition space.
Later this summer, more than 100 nudists will head to Jupiter Artland outside Edinburgh for a spot of naked art appreciation.
To ensure they don’t make an exhibition of themselves, the venue will be closed to the general public during their visit.
The art trip is one of a growing number of events specifically catering for nudists in Scotland – from clothes-free badminton tournaments, to saunas and swims, to hotel weekends and river cruises.
There are even plans this year for naked mountaineering and axe-throwing.
A series of clothes-free events are planned at Jupiter Artland
Jupiter Artland is described as a ‘contemporary sculpture garden’
Yesterday the organisation that represents Britain’s naturists said there was growing demand for unclothed activities.
Mark Bass, president of British Naturism said: ‘Events like the art trip are booking up really quickly. Interest in naturism in Scotland is growing year on year.
‘These are times of economic and social uncertainty around the world, which is making people want to reclaim their identity and freedom – which is what naturism offers.’
Jupiter Artland is described as a ‘contemporary sculpture garden’ with 120 acres of meadow, woodland and indoor gallery spaces.
The naturists will be in illustrious company, for among the works on display is I Lay Here For You – a 20ft-long bronze sculpture of a woman stretched out naked on the ground by notorious British artist Tracey Emin.
According to research by British Naturism, around 9 per cent of people in Scotland identify as naturists – while around 26 per cent have, at some point, tried ‘skinny dipping’, or naked swimming.
Among the works on display is I Lay Here For You created by notorious artist Tracey Emin
The trip to Jupiter Artland in August is part of a naturist weekend that also includes a clothes-free cruise on the River Forth.
A highlight of the naturist calendar will be the Highland Walking weekend when dozens of naked ramblers are set to meet up and hike amidst the spectacular mountain scenery near Loch Ossian on Rannoch Moor.
Later in the year, up to 200 naturists are expected to gather for a Halloween-themed weekend at the King Robert Hotel in Stirling featuring crafts, entertainments, body-painting and a visit to a nearby axe-throwing centre.
Meanwhile, the Arlington Baths in Glasgow offers a weekly session of naturist swimming.
And according to the Naturist Guide website, there are no fewer than eight commonly used nudist beaches in Scotland.
Under UK law, someone can be charged with indecency if their nudity is intended to cause other people alarm or distress, but simply being naked in public is not considered illegal.