Watery words to run across Inverness Streetscape
The first phase of the Inverness Streetscape Programme was marked today (Thursday 10th May) by the official re-opening of Church Lane. The Reverend Douglas Clyne, acting Minister of the Old High/St. Stephen’s Church, cut a ribbon assisted by representatives of the construction team, DUFI artists Fin Macrae and Al MacInnes, and members of the Streetscape Public Art Steering Group. These works form part of a wider programme to revitalise the city centre. Rok/Tulloch Civil Engineering Ltd has been awarded the £4.573m construction contract and Inverness based GU Contracts are sub-contracted for the specialist stone laying. The project costs are jointly funded by the Scottish Executive’s Cities Growth Fund and Public Transport Fund, Inverness Common Good Fund, The Highland Council and HIE Inverness & East Highland.
Marie Mackintosh, city partnership officer, said: “Church Lane and School Lane give the first signs of the results that can be expected from the rest of the streetscaping; the quality of the materials and workmanship, the attention to detail in the design and how sympathetic it will be to the character of the area and the many fine buildings. Those out taking an evening stroll will begin to see the effects that our city lighting strategy “illuminatinginverness” will bring – highlighting the lovelier buildings and architectural details. We want to encourage people to look up a bit more.”
As well as up there will be special details to look down for, in the paving, as part of the streetscape public art plan. The first of these can also be seen on Church Lane. DUFI artists Fin Macrae and Al MacInnes have been commissioned to develop a series of “Street Texts” engraved into the paving in a contemporary style. A series of 25 or 30 of these will be developed throughout the project area. They will be based on the theme of water which is intrinsic to Inverness with the river and the canal.
The two in Church Lane have a biblical connection and Fin Macrae said: “We are seeking other watery inspired quotes and suggestions from the wider community. We have had a great response from local writers through the Northwords magazine. The Gaelic community have given us some really good suggestions and we are approaching local musicians. I’m confident we will get an interesting selection to create a real sense of the place.”
DUFI have also designed special T-Shirts for the construction team, some of whom are Portuguese. The Portuguese proverb “Agua mole em pedra dura, tanto bate até que fura.” roughly translates as: soft water dripping will eventually penetrate hard stone. Put more simply it can be interpreted as perseverance delivers results. As the streetscaping works continue in Church Street, Bridge Street and into other areas over the next 17 months this saying could be quite appropriate.
-Ends