History of the Colinton Tunnel Mural

The Colinton Tunnel Mural began not with paint, but with a spark of imagination in 2016, when local residents first floated the idea of transforming the disused railway tunnel into a vibrant public artwork. What started as a “slightly wacky idea” quickly grew into a community‑driven project with a clear purpose: to celebrate Colinton’s heritage, inspire creativity, and bring new life to a neglected part of the village.

 

To take the idea forward, a dedicated group of volunteers formed the Colinton Tunnel community charity, tasked with fundraising, coordinating partners, and shaping a vision that would honour both local history and artistic ambition. Central to that vision was the decision to base the mural on From a Railway Carriage, the poem written by Robert Louis Stevenson, who spent part of his childhood in Colinton. The poem’s energetic imagery offered a perfect narrative thread for a mural stretching the full length of the 140‑metre tunnel.

 

As planning progressed, the charity sought an artist capable of delivering a project of this scale while working collaboratively with the community. They commissioned Chris Rutterford, a Scottish muralist known for his large‑scale, immersive artworks. Rutterford assembled a small team including street artists Craig Robertson and Duncan Peace, and together they began developing the visual language of the mural—one that would blend Stevenson’s poem with scenes from Colinton’s past, portraits of local people, and imaginative elements designed to delight visitors of all ages.

 

Formal painting began in June 2019, marking the start of the mural’s most visible phase. Over the next two years, the tunnel was transformed section by section. More than 600 young people from five local schools, youth groups, and the Pentlands Art Club contributed artwork, ideas, and painted details. Their involvement became a defining feature of the project, reinforcing its identity as a community creation rather than a purely professional commission.

 

The mural continued to evolve throughout 2020 and 2021, even as the pandemic reshaped working patterns and slowed progress. Despite these challenges, the team persisted, and by October 2021 the main tunnel artwork was complete. At 140 metres long, it became Scotland’s largest mural, attracting national media attention and drawing visitors from across the country. Its location on National Cycle Network Route 75 helped establish Colinton as a destination for walkers, cyclists, and families exploring the Water of Leith.

 

The success of the tunnel inspired further artistic development in the village. In July 2025, a new mural—also created by Chris Rutterford—was unveiled on Cuddies Lane. Commissioned by CAA, this project transformed a previously neglected passageway into a colourful gateway linking the village centre with the tunnel. The Cuddies Lane mural is now considered a second phase of Colinton’s growing art trail, extending the visual storytelling beyond the tunnel itself.

 

Together, these projects represent nearly a decade of creativity, collaboration, and community pride. What began as a bold idea in 2016 has become one of Edinburgh’s most distinctive public artworks, celebrating Colinton’s heritage while continuing to evolve through new phases and partnerships. The mural stands not only as a tribute to Stevenson’s poem, but as a testament to what a community can achieve when imagination and determination come together.