Lossiemouth mural - created by French artist Marc Delaye - is unveiled to community
A stunning mural that has been months in the making has officially been unveiled to the community in Lossiemouth.
The painting features fishing boats, a fishing woman, a seagull, poppies and a bumblebee - which is the logo of mental health charity Mikeysline.
French artist Marc Delaye created the mural, which is located in the centre of Lossiemouth, near the East Beach Bridge, off Clifton Road.
Carolle Ralph, of Lossiemouth Community Council, was pivotal in bringing it to life.
She said: “It depicts a fishing woman with a creel standing amongst poppies and a cross.
“The place she stands is close to the railway platform where many Lossie men, mostly fishermen, left for war - some never to return.
“She is looking out to sea where we can see the Seine Netter INS 117, the Arhem and behind the Zulu, the Lossie boat built by William 'Dad' Campbell in Lossie in 1879.
“We have a stunning bumblebee amongst the poppies, this is to symbolise Mikeysline’s involvement in the project.
“Many young people in the north-east have taken their own lives and we are passionate about using all mediums to highlight the local services available to all.”
The creation has been months in the making - and has been planned for many years.
Things began moving in September, when Carolle discovered artist Marc while he was working with Mikeysline.
She added: “About eight years ago, we realised this poor old wall needed something drastic done to it. It was looking tired.
“We have tried to find an artist to take it on. We even approached Banksy!
“We wanted something reflective of the fishing heritage in Lossie. If it wasn’t for fishing, there wouldn’t be a Lossie. We wanted something to capture that - right in the middle of the town.
“We are thrilled with how it looks. It has been a really good community project.
“We have spoken to people from all over who have come to see the mural. We hope it will bring people to Lossie.”
The project was completed in collaboration with Lossiemouth High School, with S1 pupils creating the designs as part of their classwork.
Their designs were then shown to the community at Lossiemouth Community Hub - and work on the final design began.
Lisa Bayliss, depute head teacher at Lossiemouth High School, added: “It has generated so much interest. Everyone is talking about it.
“There’s a huge buzz in the town around it - and the pupils have played a part in that.
“It’s good for the local community to see our young people doing good for the community.”
The project was funded by Lossiemouth councillors’ project funding pot and a donation from Tulloch's of Cummingston. Businesses chipped in, with two hotels even putting Marc up for eight days completely free of charge.
A storyboard will soon be added to the wall, which will direct people to the nearby Fisheries and Community Museum.
