Community mural unveiled at site of old Dalkeith High School

Dalkeith High pupils have given Midlothian Council housing, on the site of the former school, “a real sense of soul” thanks to a new mural they worked on with Scottish artist Chris Rutterford.

Sunny and joyful 

Unveiling the artwork at a ceremony today (Thursday), Chris said the finished product “feels sunny and joyful, rooted in optimism”. 

Very proud

Chris, whose work includes the famous Colinton Tunnel mural and the mural in Mayfield, thanked pupils for their artistic contributions adding: “They should be very proud of themselves. They’ve given this new place a real sense of soul.” 

Normandy Drive

The mural, which depicts nature and animals in vibrant colours, is on a wall on Normandy Drive, home to a £17 million development of 44 new homes, plus eight bungalows and 39 amenity flats for people aged 55 and over.

Added bonus

Council Leader Councillor Kelly Parry said: “Not only do our council tenants get to enjoy their new homes, but passing this wonderful, eye catching piece of artwork each time they arrive and leave is a real added bonus.

Lasting legacy 

“Well done to everyone involved, you’ve left a fantastic legacy to uplift us all for decades to come.”

Community benefits

Main contractor Ogilvie Construction commissioned Chris to produce the art as part of its community benefits programme.

Connecting communities

Colm Bourke, Project Manager at Ogilvie Construction, said: “Chris and the pupils at Dalkeith High have created an amazing artwork that shows how the heart of the development lies beyond the new buildings in the connections formed when people come together in new communities.”

Former resident

Chris, who lived near the mural until recently but is now based in Strathyre, near Callander, was approached by Ogilvie Construction in 2020.

Fitting tribute 

Given the development is on the site of the old Dalkeith High, he felt it fitting to involve local pupils.  

Sense of optimism 

They wanted to create artwork with a sense of optimism but it had to be something residents could “live with and would love”, he said.  

More than 100 pupils

Chris, who is working on what is thought to be the biggest mural in Scotland in the Alloway tunnel, took up residency in the school for the first week and a half in October and worked with more than a hundred pupils from various year groups. 

Ripples of joy 

“I’m very grateful the Eilidh Zielinski and the entire art department got so behind the project. In many ways I feel like a benevolent pirate when I invade a school, but once we got started the ripples of joy and creativity soon echoed throughout the whole school. I could feel the pride of ownership in the pupils who took part.

Collaborative artwork

“Their exuberance and my experience combined make this mural a truly a collaborative piece.” 

Pupil's delight

S3 pupil Myrrin Stewart painted a large bluebird on the mural. She said when she first saw the mural this morning, "it was much bigger than I expected. I'm really excited, really pleased," she said. 

In the picture

In the picture with Dalkeith High pupils are: artist Christ Rutterford, pictured centre back. Council Leader Kelly Parry is pictured in the blue coat standing next to Dalkeith ward councillor Margot Russell, in red. Colm Bourke, Project Manager at Ogilvie Construction is behind Cllr Russell in blue.