Martin Whitfield MSP attended the unveiling of the UK’s largest marine plastic mural at North Berwick Harbour today and joined others in praising the installation and its creator, local artist Julie Barnes.

The art piece will be located on an eight-metre stretch of the harbour wall near the Scottish Seabird Centre. It depicts a beach scene and the Bass Rock, alongside an interpretation board that explains the artwork’s meaning.

The educational mural was designed by Ms Barnes, an artist from Aberlady, and has been created in connection with North Berwick Harbour Trust and local businesses Jerba Campervans and Caledonian Horticulture.

Julie Barnes said:

“As a local artist who loves living in East Lothian, I care passionately about our beautiful environment.

“Each piece of plastic tells the story of today’s culture and its obsession with convenience, despite the shocking consequences.

“It feels amazing to have been chosen to create this educational artwork and I hope, like all my work, it will inspire viewers to stop, think and make a conscious effort to help preserve our planet.”

Martin Whitfield MSP said: 

“I welcomed the opportunity to attend the unveiling of this remarkable piece of artwork. Julie has created a really powerful, educational and thought-provoking mural, working in partnership with the Harbour Trust, local businesses and local resident Elizabeth Vischer who collected the plastic pieces from a 200m stretch of Longniddry Bents.

“Julie, Elizabeth and everyone else involved in this project deserve great credit for producing this important work and the crucial message it conveys about plastic waste and its disastrous impact on the marine environment.”