Wraps come of Macduff art project at vacant shop

Eye-catching photographs of harbour scenes unveiled to cover up boarded-up windows

Published:

THE wraps have come off a public art project to brighten up a vacant former shop at a north-east town centre.

Eye-catching photographs of harbour scenes at Macduff were unveiled yesterday at the property in the port’s Duff Street.

The four weather-proof pictures are on the exterior of the building over boarded-up windows.

The move is the start of a long-term campaign by Banff and Macduff Community Trust to improve the appearance of vacant properties.

The initiative was prompted by a survey earlier this year which revealed that boarded-up properties were a major public dislike. Banff and Buchan Arts Forum provided £1,000 to help pay for the work at the shop.

The property was latterly used by Banffshire Maritime and Heritage Association.

The photographs were taken by Linlithgow-based artist Vicky Barclay, who snapped harbour scenes at Macduff this spring for the 2009 Coast visual arts festival.

North-east artist Jemima Chillingworth steered the project, which is supported by property owners Henry and Rose Hollins.

Trust operations and development manager, Fiona Poustie, said: “We are delighted with the first effort to enhance a boarded-up building.

“We plan to do others and we hope to identify a suitable property in Banff next.”

Banff and Buchan Arts Forum chairwoman Helen Harrison said: “We are absolutely delighted with this project.”