THE STORNOWAY STORY
Our town. Our stories. Our future.
The Stornoway Story began with a simple idea:
What if we could bring some of the stories of Stornoway onto the walls of the town?
What if overlooked spaces could become places of colour, pride and conversation?
What if public art could help people see Stornoway differently?
THE VISION
We want to create a growing trail of murals, sculptures, stories and digital experiences rooted in the people, places and traditions of Stornoway and the wider islands.
The project will celebrate maritime heritage, fishing, crofting, Harris Tweed, music, Gaelic language and culture, landscape, community life and lesser-known stories.
But this is not simply a heritage project.
We want to celebrate who we are now and who we are becoming.
COMMUNITY-LED FROM THE START
This project is being created with the community.
Our engagement has brought forward ideas, memories and constructive challenge about what Stornoway means to people and what they would like to see next.
Young people from the Nicolson Institute are already directly involved in creating the artwork with Chris Rutterford.
As the trail continues, there will be lots of opportunity for participation. If you want to get involved then please do get in touch with us.
THE FIRST CHAPTER
The first phase will transform Shell Street and the waterfront through large scale mural artwork.
The panels being created with the Nicolson Institute are already showing the ambition of the project: bringing together local stories, island life, the harbour and people from the town’s past.
The work is not simply something to be installed in the future. It is being created here, now, by people in our community.
