THE artist behind the iconic Colinton Tunnel mural has just unveiled a new piece of work in the village, dedicated to its rich history.
The mural on Cuddies Lane pays tribute to the historical road with an intricate period scene showing what it would have looked like hundreds of years ago.
Colinton is one of the oldest towns in Edinburgh with a church constructed at the current site of St Cuthbert’s Parish at the end of the 11th century.
Mural artist Chris Rutterford has paid homage to the town’s roots with help from local artist Eddie Banks.
Cuddies Lane is a small footpath that runs through the centre of Colinton Village, and is just one example of historical architecture that remains intact in the area.
Chris had noticed that the path was in a state of disarray, and so planned to transform the area with the help of the Colinton Amenity Association (CAA).
His work on Colinton Tunnel not only revitalised the area, which had been neglected for years, but has brought in an influx of tourists and local visitors who are eager to see the stretch of vibrant paintings.
His mural was unveiled last week with much of it trailing up the wall along the path, and another piece on a satellite panel at the top of the lane which depicts where the old smiddy, or blacksmith’s workshop, once was.
The piece also takes inspiration from Irish-born artist Phoebe Anna Traquair, who was one of the first female artists in Scotland to receive professional recognition for her widely diverse and skillful work.
Traquair was a pioneer in the nineteenth century Scottish Arts and Crafts movement which focused on intricate, handmade pieces in a response to the industrial revolution.
Chris’s mural aims to show a snapshot of village life during this time, utilising a sepia-toned colour palette and archival material from the CAA.
Colinton residents were happy to pose as references for the large piece, with three local dogs posing for their very own renditions in the piece, which will now immortalise the heritage of the area.
Chris says: “I really wanted to bring back the history but put a real emphasis on horses, which is what a cuddie is.”
He has confirmed that plans are underway to add another substantial panel to the bottom of the lane by the end of the year, and to eventually use artwork to connect the village to Colinton Tunnel.
