A MURAL made up of 27,000 pieces of plastic collected from East Lothian beaches is going through the planning process.
It is intended to illustrate the concerning levels of marine waste which can be found along Scotland’s coastline.
In partnership with North Berwick Harbour Trust, local businesses Jerba Campervans and Caledonia Horticulture have enrolled award-winning local artist Julie Barnes to create the mural.
Co-founder of Jerba Campervans Simon Poole said: “The planned mural will not only be visually breath taking but will also send a clear message about the real harm that waste plastic is causing to our seas and beaches.
“We’re delighted to have Julie on board with this project as it is an important message that hopefully will chime with a range of audiences, locally and also out with the area.”
The artwork will depict a beach scene and image of Bass Rock and span eight metres along North Berwick’s harbour wall.
It will be accompanied by an interpretation board explaining the meaning behind the artwork and urging people to act now.
Both the family-run campervan converter and the horticultural products producer are the main financial contributors towards the project, inspiring other local business to also make donations.
Poole added: “As a company that is enthusiastic about all things outdoors, these initiatives are so important to us as we strive to preserve the beautiful coastlines and natural land.
“A plastic-free beach shouldn’t be a novelty but something that is standard.”
The 27,000 fragments required to create the artwork were collected by one dedicated local, Lil Vischer, who spent 100 days gathering the pieces along Longniddry Bents.
The planned artwork should last for many years in the sea spray environment and its impact is hoped to be maximised as tourists flock to the hotspot.
Julie Barnes’ most recent project was a life-sized seal structure made from waste plastic for an environmental competition.
She said: “Art can speak a thousand words and I hope that this important mural will make a connection with the viewer.
“Alongside my regular work as a painter, I use the power of art to provoke emotional and practical responses to environmental issues facing us all.
“It’s an honour to do the installation and the visual power of art is an incredible way to inspire, educate and bring about vital behaviour change across society as a whole.”
