Crown Road wall refurbishment revealed
Renovation works to the retaining wall at Crown Road, Inverness, will be revealed this week with the protective scaffolding and netting due to be removed tomorrow (Thursday) evening. Crown Road will re-open to downhill traffic from Friday (4h March).
The project has refaced an expansive 275 square metre area in masonry block, significantly improving the façade and complementing the streetscape regeneration works carried out on Stephen’s Brae. Construction works, at a cost of £60,000, have been met from The Highland Council’s Transport, Environmental and Community Services Streetscape capital budget. In addition, a large scale art installation designed by artist Mike Inglis is being erected with £20,000 funding set aside for this purpose from the original Streetscape public art budget.
The artwork extends to some 75 metres and includes images and references inspired by the people of Inverness and the Highlands, the natural wilderness beyond the city and local urban landmarks. Some of these, such as the Greig Street Footbridge, will be instantly recognisable whereas others like tile patterns taken from St Andrew’s Cathedral and the Town House, or the ornate gates in the doorways of the former bank at 9 High Street, are less so.
In the characters depicted there are references to the Scottish clan system with two groups of young people representing: the Wolf Clan – from the natural environment and paying respect to our Pictish and Celtic heritage; and the Deer Clan – dwellers from inside the city gates. Their clothing blends modern day “trainer culture” with textures and patterns based on the weaving of former Lovat Scout and artist Angus McPhee (1916-1997) who created extraordinary garments from foraged sheep’s wool and grasses. Born on South Uist, and following his army career with the Lovat Scouts, McPhee chose not to speak for 50 years. He created most of his art whilst in Craig Dunain Psychiatric Hospital.
Mr Inglis produced the work after research and interviews with local historians and residents, young people, businessmen and those who work in the community. The underlying theme explores Scottish belief systems and Highland myths.
Mr Inglis explained: “I have been struck by the welcome and open acceptance I have received from the people of Inverness and the stories and insights they have shared with me. From their faith and belief systems, to the relationship between the city and the rural landscape surrounding it, the architecture, homelessness and tales of some of the quirky inhabitants from the past and how the city cared for them. The work can be studied on a number of levels and, while I am happy to leave hints and clues to some of the stories, I would rather leave it to the imagination of the viewer to create their own interpretation.”
Provost Jimmy Gray, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee, said: “I am delighted to see the Crown Road retaining wall reinstated in good order and I want to thank motorists for their patience over the last few months. Mr Inglis’ visual images are striking and they will certainly create a bit of intrigue for visitors and the local community. They may even generate some debate about what the images represent which is a great way of discussing both the history and the future of society in the city of Inverness.”
The Crown Road Wall artwork is the latest in a series of artist designed commissions delivered by Inverness Old Town Art for The Highland Council as part of the city’s public art programme. Further information about this project, and others, can be found at www.invernessoldtownart.co.uk.