Community Walk visiting the Pennywell murals in North Edinburgh. Sunday 22nd March, meeting at North Edinburgh Arts (full address below) at 2pm.
On this walk we will visit three vibrant murals by Fraser Gray which transform local buildings. Celebrating local history, they are a great example of the role the arts can play in brightening up urban areas, sparking conversation on climate change, and promoting a sense of belonging in community.
Expect:
fresh air and gentle walking / wheeling exercise
an opportunity to get to know new people
entertaining stories of local history
information about art and murals
the chance to enjoy urban nature
Led by Tamsin Grainger, experienced community walk leader.
Moving slowly through the city landscape allows for quality noticing. Pauses are important so we can discover and really see what is around us. We will embrace the environment, community and conversation.
The walk will be on tarmac, so fine for sticks and wheels, whether wheelchair or buggy. Dogs welcome.
You are encouraged to walk, cycle or use public transport to keep carbon emissions down. Buses 17, 24, 27 and 37 stop outside. There are bike racks outside the building. Strict parking restrictions operate on Pennywell Road. (As of 23 March 2026, the day after the walk, most on-street parking in the area will require a permit or payment.)
This is a Walk Club, Edinburgh walk that is open to everyone. It’s a brand-new Edinburgh walking / wheeling club offering ambulatory meet-ups that focus on local history, art, and urban nature ~ with a twist ~
More information about The Walk Club is here. You can join the new Walk Club by contacting tamsinlgrainger@gmail.com for details.
An arts trail in North Edinburgh, from Natalie Taylor’s labyrinth at Pennywell Kirk to the mural on the Edinburgh Direct Aid Warehouse wall made by Draya Madú with Eva Paredes and volunteers. Map here.
A Cretan labyrinth in the grounds of Pennywell Kirk (Old Kirk and Muirhouse Parish Church) constructed by artist Natalie Taylor in 2016. It takes approximately 15 minutes to walk slowly into the centre. Commissioned by Centipede Project. Address: 42 Pennywell Gardens, Muirhouse, Edinburgh EH4 4PE.
Labyrinth by Nat Taylor at Pennywell Kirk. Photo on left by Michael Lindsay
Pennywell Arts Heritage Trail
Pennywell Arts Heritage Trail, Muirhouse and Pilton, Edinburgh – murals by artists-in-residence Fraser Gray and Eve Paredes. Eva and Fraser delivered the murals as a result of a range of public consultations and workshops for the local community around the new development. The Pennywell Arts and Heritage Trail was delivered with North Edinburgh Arts, funded by Urban Union and supported by the Edinburgh Council. Fraser Gray on Facebook Muirhouse Festival mural on YouTube
A. B. Fleming mural by Fraser Gray and Eva ParedeFishnets / rope mural by Fraser Gray and Eva ParedesMuirhouse Gala mural by Fraser Gray and Eva Paredes
More Pennywell murals
Community mural outside North Edinburgh Arts. Information to comeTwo of a series of murals created by local children and young people with Ross McRae and Iona Lee
Granton Gastower whale sculpture
By Svetlana Kondakova Muir, this sculpture depicts one of the Firth of Forth’s most special visitors – the humpback whale. It was commissioned by the City of Edinburgh Council for the new Gasholder 1 public park.
Humpback whale sculpture by Svetlana Kondakova Muir at Granton Gastower
Granton Castle Walled Garden
Mural on the wall of Granton Castle Walled Garden by Eve Murray, commissioned by Granton Hub and funded by Sustrans Artroots to speak to the history and culture of Granton.
The mural, with its elements of disguise, requires the viewer to actively look and decipher rather than passively absorb the image. This serves as a metaphor for Granton’s past – there is evidence of lost industries if you know where to look, what to look for and have the want to do so. Beyond this, it addresses a more general need for balance between the industrial world which bolsters economies and communities, and the natural world which we often abuse and will ultimately pay the price for.
Eve Murray
Granton Castle Walled Garden: L of Granton Castle. R by Eve Murray
The Wall
A sound walk on the Western Breakwater of Granton Harbour. Approach via Hesperus Causeway. Once on the wasteland, open the soundcloud link and listen on your phone. Sadly, the installation part of this artwork has blown down and been eroded as a result of the weather.
The Wall, sound walk by Tamsin Grainger. Click on this image to listen on Soundcloud as you walk beside the wall
Edinburgh Direct Aid Warehouse (EDA)
Mural symbolising the spirit of humanitarian aid designed by Mexican muralist Draya Madú who was joined by Mexican artist Eva Paredes and a team of volunteers.
The mural is not just a piece of art; it represents a light of hope and a reminder of our shared and caring humanity as well as a call to action to keep helping those in need
Draya Madú
16A West Harbour Road on the wall of Edinburgh Direct Aid (dedicated to providing humanitarian aid to people suffering as a result of man-made or natural disasters. EDA’s current main projects are in Ukraine, Gaza and Lebanon.) The City of Edinburgh Council supported the artists who created the work through their Diversity and Inclusion Fund.
Mural on the wall of the Edinburgh Direct Aid Warehouse, 16A West Harbour Road, Granton, Edinburgh EH5 1PNAbout the Edinburgh Direct Aid mural
Covid Memorial Trail
This links nicely to the Covid Memorial Trail, ‘Remembering Together’ by Skye Loneragan in collaboration with Stewart Ennis. It was funded by Greenspace Scotland and supported by Artlink and the City of Edinburgh Council. The project explored experiences of the pandemic, with the goal of highlighting the challenges faced by disabled people, while also celebrating their resilience and potential.was installed in the Wardie Bay area
Widdershins sculpture near Wardie Bay by Skye Loneragan and Stewart Ennis – Covid Memorial TrailSometimes Loss Leaves a Hollow, Covid Memorial Trail, Edinburgh Covid Memorial Trail, Edinburgh
North Edinburgh Arts (NEA) is somewhere for local residents to relax, explore, learn and get creative together. From art to dance, music to textiles, woodwork to yoga, they offer over 30 hours of workshops every week, with something for all ages and interests to enjoy. There are films, theatre performances, and a cafe (open Monday- Saturday), with Muirhouse library next door and a good ice cream shop nearby. The address is North Edinburgh Arts, 12C MacMillan Square, Edinburgh, EH4 4AB and it is served by bus numbers 17, 24, 27, and 37 with bicycle racks outside.
R2 North Edinburgh Response and Recovery Project Musical Movement, an active travel event on the path between Gypsy Brae and the Brick Beach in North Edinburgh, including the completion and unveiling of murals on the planters at Gypsy Brae.
The Granton Burn, a textile map by Tamsin Grainger
All photocraphs copyright Tamsin Grainger unless otherwise stated.
Walking without a donkey 