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PICTURES: Invergordon Off the Wall mural trail founders so app-y with new Easter Ross development helping make town's 'outdoor art gallery' come to life for visitors


By Hector MacKenzie

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Anne Crawford, Jim Campbell, Sonny Rhind and Noreen Kelman of Invergordon Off the Wall. Picture: Callum Mackay
Anne Crawford, Jim Campbell, Sonny Rhind and Noreen Kelman of Invergordon Off the Wall. Picture: Callum Mackay

A VISIONARY project that turned an Easter Ross town into an outdoor art gallery enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitors is set to become an even bigger tourist attraction on the booming NC500 and cruise liner scene.

Invergordon, dubbed mural town of the Highlands, took the bold leap to transform many of its key outdoor spaces 20 years ago.

Its mural trail is now being promoted as a must-see on the NC500 which has been credited with boosting the Highland economy to the tune of over £22m a year.

And the Port of Cromarty Firth is this year expecting 115 cruise liner vessels carrying around 200,000 passengers to call at Invergordon.

The town is fiercely proud of its RNLI lifeboat.
The town is fiercely proud of its RNLI lifeboat.

Now, a new app that helps bring the plethora of professionally painted murals to life has been launched as a fresh attraction to encourage visitors from near and far to linger longer.

The guided tour app, featuring local people and artists who breathe life into the murals, is free to download with an option to donate via Just Giving to help the maintenance of the trail and future projects.

One of the Murals at Invergordon Station. Picture: Callum Mackay..
One of the Murals at Invergordon Station. Picture: Callum Mackay..

Invergordon Off the Wall's Sonny Rhind said: "The new app really brings the murals to life with the people involved talking about the making of the mural trail and all the community involvement. There are lots of special features and you can share your journey around the murals with friends on social media. We really hope you will visit Invergordon, Mural Town of the Highlands, and that you enjoy visiting our amazing outdoor art gallery!”

It's possible to watch artists painting and describing how they work in video clips and, at the museum, find out how the mural panels used to look through the magic of your smartphone.

The bold murals are a talking point for visitors and locals alike.
The bold murals are a talking point for visitors and locals alike.

The souvenir photo frames allow visitors to become a lifeboat crew member, a drum major or the station mistress.

The trail runs from Invergordon Railway Station up the High Street to the museum and is easily accessible from the port. The whole trail allow 60-90 minutes.

Jim Campbell, chairman of Invergordon Off the Wall, said: "It has been an absolute pleasure to be part of this group from the start of our journey to the present day. It is so rewarding to see the mural trail with a brand new app to guide our visitors along the trail. I thank the late Marion Rhind, all our members throughout the years, and Helen Kermode for all their input and hard work.”

The idea was sparked from the other side of the world but took hold in the Easter Ross port town.
The idea was sparked from the other side of the world but took hold in the Easter Ross port town.

The murals include The Long Goodbye, featuring local Seaforth Highlanders in World War Two; the Heritage of the Firth and one depicting the town's lifeboat heritage.

Invergordon Off the Wall is on the lookout for suitable new trustees and volunteers. If you, or anyone you know who lives in the area is interested, ask them to get in touch with us at invergordonoffthewall@gmail.com

One of the murals in the town.
One of the murals in the town.

Download the app at invergordonoffthewall.org.uk


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