Nairn Victorian Shelter
2nd February 2026
By Lauren Cameron for The Inverness Courier
A vibrant new mural celebrating the marine life of the Moray Firth is taking shape on Nairn’s seafront, thanks to a collaboration between local artist Tilly Currah, senior pupils from Nairn Academy, and wellbeing charity Blue Space Highland. The artwork is set to go on display in one of Nairn’s historic Victorian shelters overlooking the scenic waterfront.
Students have been closely involved throughout, helping to select Tilly from a shortlist supported by the Nairn Book and Arts Festival and contributing directly to the final panels under her guidance.
(Pictured: Artist Tilly Currah and Leeane MacKay of Blue Space Highland at the historic Victorian shelter in Nairn where the mural will be displayed.)
The project was commissioned by Blue Space Highland, a charity focused on connecting people with coastal and marine environments to support wellbeing, with funding from the Highland Whole Family Wellbeing Fund.
Mural artist Tilly Currah, whose work is inspired by the ocean and marine conservation, drew inspiration from the rich marine life of the Moray Firth for the piece.
“It felt like a really exciting opportunity to bring together my two biggest passions - the ocean and my art - in a very community-based way,” she said. “I applied immediately showing examples of my previous mural work and explaining my vision.”
After being shortlisted, Tilly pitched her ideas to students at Nairn Academy, who have played an active role in the design process.
“I was thrilled to hear I was selected,” she said. “And knowing that it was the students who chose the artist to work alongside to bring the mural to life made the project feel even more meaningful.
“I spoke to the students about my passion for the oceans and my volunteer work with various marine conservation charities - and my hope that the mural would not only be visually engaging, but also help raise awareness of the extraordinary species that live in the Moray Firth.”
Tilly describes her mural style as “bright, bold and expressive” - and hopes this will come across in the final piece.
“I hope people feel the same sense of peace looking at my artwork that I feel when I look out to sea,” she said. “I want people to marvel at the scale of these murals too, although the murals aren’t life size, they still give such impact on just how extraordinarily huge these marine mammals are, it’s incredibly exciting.”
She added: “My wish is that the mural encourages people to pause at the shelter, look out to sea and try to spot some of the species featured in the artwork, as well as sparking curiosity and conversation around it.”
The mural features a range of Moray Firth marine life, with a particular focus on cetaceans. At its centre are panels depicting John Coe and Aquarius, the last remaining members of the UK’s only resident pod of orca, the West Coast Community.
“Their story is both extraordinary and deeply sad as this pod will die out with them,” she said. “I feel honoured to give them prominence, not just as striking subjects for the art, but as individuals.”
While she used some artistic license in the design, she took particular care to accurately depict identifying markings on the whales’ fins and flukes, which are used by researchers to distinguish individual cetaceans.
Leeanne Mackay of Blue Space Highland said involving young people was central to the project.
“Our mission is to connect individuals with blue spaces - whatever that means to each individual,” she said. “What's really important to us is capturing young people at that crucial age - helping them find positive activities, connect with the sea, finding their creativity - and bringing in the history of Nairn. We felt it was the perfect opportunity to link it all together.”
Senior pupils participated worked on the mural twice a week over two school terms. Sharon Sharkey, S3 and S6 year head at Nairn Academy, said the experience had been overwhelmingly positive.
“They’ve absolutely loved it,” she said. “Some have absolutely loved working with Tilly, and the chance to work with a real artist. Others have loved the creative process - being able to take what they do in art and actually apply it to something that's going to be in the community. It's really exciting for them.”
She added that the project had also helped pupils build new friendships and gain confidence.
“Having a real, live project for young people to be involved in is fantastic,” she said. “Some of them said they've been inspired to take inspiration from their National 5 art courses, which is fantastic.”
Tilly echoed this, praising the students’ creative input.
“Working with the students was an exciting part of the design process because they brought energy, ideas and small creative touches that helped the mural evolve in ways I hadn’t anticipated. The experience was very collaborative and the design grew organically as we painted together.”
She added: “I especially loved the little characterful fish the students added to the murals. I could really feel their excitement.
“I hope the experience inspires them to pursue art and creativity in whatever form that may take.”
With the pupils’ contribution complete, Tilly is now adding final touches.
“The mural is still very much a work in progress,” she said. “These are the parts that take a lot of time but really make a difference to the overall finished quality of the art - it can be a painstaking process but definitely one not to rush.
“I am thrilled with how the designs are looking and the overall appearance of all the panels but now I’m into the nitty gritty for the final stage.”
For Tilly, who has volunteered with Whale and Dolphin Conservation and completed Shorewatch training in Nairn, the location has special meaning.
“I have a real soft spot for Nairn, it’s a lovely friendly little town,” she said. “The shelter itself is a very special structure steeped in history too, I feel very lucky to be part of its revival for it to be used and appreciated for many more years to come.”
She added: “Seeing cetaceans out at sea here brings me so much excitement so this mural feels like a way of giving something back to a coastline that has given me so much joy and inspiration.”
The completed mural is expected to be installed later in spring 2026, with plans for a community launch once it is in place.
