Balgreen Tunnel transformed with wildlife art

A pedestrian tunnel in Edinburgh, once filled with graffiti, has been transformed into a stunning painted nature trail thanks to a community including primary schoolchildren and thousands of pounds of donations.

The colourful mural has transformed the Balgreen Tunnel from a “scary” walkway into a “fantasy world” of animals and plants found in the nearby Saughton Park.

The 46 metres long tunnel runs under the rail and tram tracks crossing Balgreen Road and is on the way to Saughton Park but the space has been blighted by graffiti tags for years.

A group of local people began fundraising last year in a bid to create a special mural on its walls.

More than 150 people have now contributed a total of £5,000 towards the project, which has involved professional street artists and ideas and inspiration from children at nearby Balgreen Primary School.

The arched surface – all 276 square metres of it – is now filled with dozens of giant colourful spray painted flora and fauna including otters, ducks, foxes, herons, hedgehogs, frogs, rabbits, badgers, birds, bees, beetles and butterflies.

All of the plants and creatures can be found in Saughton Park and in the Water of Leith, which runs through the green space.

Artist Calum Carr, started painting the work in July after completing a number of other successful projects around the country. He said: “The Balgreen Tunnel has always been covered in graffiti and tags, and it was scary to walk through for some people.

“Children in the local primary school came up with ideas for what the mural should show and we came up with wildlife from Saughton Park.

“There has been overwhelming positivity to the project, which is designed to be fun but also educational for the kids.

“So many people have stopped to say how much they love the mural and it’s been lovely to see children walking through with their parents, calling out the names of the animals and flowers.

“It’s been a very humbling experience. We want this to be a landmark that generations of people can enjoy and be proud of.”

The Balgreen Tunnel Project applied for grant funding, with an additional £5,000 raised in a crowdfunding campaign and further fundraising is ongoing to create a maintenance fund.

It is hoped that the artwork will build community spirit and develop a sense of ownership among people in the area.

Calum, 44, has spent over eight weeks completing the work alongside fellow artist Dallas Henderson Smith.

He added: “I really wanted to take advantage of the fact the tunnel is completely curved and arched so there are animals and flowers wrapped around the entire ceiling and over the other side.

“I want people to step into a fantasy world for the short time they are walking through the tunnel.

“It’s so important, especially in the times we are living in, to boost positivity in our communities and for people to feel together and not alone.”

5/9/2025 Calum Carr, artist spray painting The Balgreen Tunnel, Picture Alan Simpson