
First scene set for SY Story mural trail
10 October 2025
The first of a series of murals was unveiled yesterday (Wednesday October 8) on the side-wall of TESCO on Shell Street, Stornoway, facing the exit from the town's ferry terminal and marking the beginning of a colourful mural trail through the town.
Artist Chris Rutterford, who brought Iain Brady’s sculptures back to life in April this year, has created a large new mural to catch the eye of tourists and visitors coming off the ferry.
Detailed with images of the town, Chris said he wanted to capture the culture of the island.
“It’s great to see it up now and to see how it all came together,” Chris said, “I really wanted to showcase the island. We had been thinking of different designs including the Callanish stones, maybe the Northern Lights and other areas of the island, but overall we thought the ferry is bringing people into Stornoway so it should show the town and what’s in it.”
When asked about how it feels to see the project really begin now, Chris said he felt “chuffed” to see it come to life and be on display now.
To unveil the mural, Western Isles Lottery invited members of the public to a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Shell Street. Stornoway councillors Malcolm Macdonald and Iain Macaulay cut the ribbon to mark the beginning of The Stornoway Story mural trail.
Janet Paterson, from Western Isles Lottery, said: “It’s been a lot of hard work and negotiations since a year last April trying to get it right. The vision was a welcome to Stornoway because it there was nothing there, it’s just Tesco as soon as you get off the ferry.
“We wanted something colourful and professional that depicted Stornoway, which is why we’ve included the town hall, the Martin’s Memorials spire, the Castle, and coming into the port. We wanted to include Gaelic, so it reads Failte gu Steòrnabhagh as well. Seeing it up last night was just incredible.”
Chris has painted murals in communities throughout Scotland, many of which he’s collaborated with local schools and artists to bring each piece to life.
He said: “It’s something in their community that they can be involved in. I never want it to be about me, I want to showcase the community and have everyone collaborate in it.”
On yesterday's Facebook post from welovestornoway.com, there was an enthusiastic response to the mural trail.
One person said: "Love a mural trail and brings a lovely splash of colour to our town, especially over winter."
Another said: "What a beautiful welcome to everyone coming off the ferry."
Others shared their excitement to see it in person when they're next on the island, saying they look forward to being welcomed by the mural.
Western Isles Lottery would also like to extend thanks to Calmax for their labour and support in installing the recent artwork and to TESCO for their support.
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