Saltburn’s Past
by artist Ken White (2007)
in consultation with Saltburn and Westwood Community Council and Saltburn District Association
This mural depicts the different aspects of Saltburn’s Past and how local people made a living in the midst of stunning scenery.
‘Dawn through the Sutors’ is the remaining mural panel you can see above.
There used to be two other mural panels on the adjoining building, and unfortunately the condition of those walls needed repair which meant the loss of those paintings.
Ken met with members from the local Saltburn groups to gather ideas and again to show them the proposed mural design.
Painting in progress
Saltburn’s Past – from sketch to mural
Saltburn’s Past – ‘Dawn through the Sutors’
The mural you can see today illustrates different aspects of Saltburn’s history and scenery. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets are a regular sight in Saltburn, looking out across the Cromarty Firth.
In the mural, you can see the wild fowlers in their punts (the boats on the water) ready to take aim at the ducks flying overhead. This was one of the ways locals increased their income in the past.
The fishwife is carrying her creel.
You can see two salt smugglers in the lower right hand corner of the mural. Salt was a very expensive commodity in those days and this gave Saltburn its name.
Saltburn’s Past – The Stonemasons
The original second panel of the Saltburn’s Past mural depicted the work of Saltburn stonemasons and included a variety of architectural features to be found in the village itself. The Saltburn stonemasons contributed to the building of Edinburgh’s New Town. The old school was also one of their building projects.
Saltburn’s Past – The School
Originally the first of the Saltburn’s Past mural panels, you can almost hear the squeals of delight and giggles coming from the children pictured at the old school in Saltburn. The building still stands today although now it is a private residence.
Before Photo – Saltburn’s Past mural
All three original panels – 2007
Visting Saltburn
If you would like to explore Saltburn and maybe catch a sunrise or sunset, you follow the High Street away from the town centre and turn left along the edge of the Cromarty Firth and the road takes you into Saltburn. Saltburn Community Woodland and the coastline are lovely places to go for a walk.
