Earlier this year, Fort William BID received ten fantastic mural proposals from artists across the Highlands and beyond – each offering a creative take on what makes our town unique. After an initial round of feedback from the community, local businesses, property owners, tenants, and the BID Board, three designs have been shortlisted.
Now, we’d like to hear what you think.
This mural will transform the gable at 129 High Street, creating a striking gateway to the town centre and a lasting landmark for residents and visitors alike. The shortlisted designs reflect a mix of local heritage, natural beauty, and forward-looking creativity – each one telling Fort William’s story in a different way.
Local artist and teacher Mark Faulkner offers a design deeply rooted in Fort William’s identity. His mural, Our Special Lochaber Oaks, takes inspiration from the sessile oak — a symbol found on the town crest and throughout Lochaber’s history.
Mark’s concept blends heritage, folklore, and local pride. The mural weaves together the area’s people, wildlife, and mythic past, from ancient warriors to modern-day community figures. It celebrates the endurance and strength that define Lochaber, with details that reward every closer look.
His proposal also includes creative workshops with local schools and youth groups, giving young people the chance to contribute to a project that will shape their townscape for years to come.
Renowned mural studio Soulful Creative, known for major commissions with brands and communities across the UK, brings a contemporary artistic style and strong technical experience to the shortlist.
Their concept, The Spirit of Fort William, captures the town’s dramatic landscape, adventurous energy, and Highland warmth. Ben Nevis, Loch Linnhe, and the changing Highland light feature alongside climbers, cyclists, and local life – portraying the area as both rugged and welcoming.
Soulful’s design process is highly collaborative, blending modern illustration with local storytelling to create something bold, distinctive, and instantly recognisable. Their work aims to deliver a high-impact mural that visitors will photograph, share, and remember.
At just 21, Autumn Violet Evans brings fresh perspective and hometown pride to the competition. Her digital design, Welcome to Fort William, celebrates the town’s landscape, culture, and community spirit through bright colour and bold composition.
Featuring Ben Nevis, a hiker, and a shinty player beneath the town’s name, her vision captures both Fort William’s natural beauty and its active, welcoming energy. Autumn’s proposal highlights a new generation of local talent and a creative future for public art in the Highlands.
Working with established mural teams for technical delivery, she aims to turn her digital artwork into a large-scale piece that reflects optimism, identity, and belonging.
This mural will be a defining feature of Fort William’s High Street – a statement of who we are as a community.
We’d like your help choosing which of these shortlisted designs should move forward. Take a few minutes to explore each concept and tell us which one best represents the heart and character of Fort William.
👉 Click here to vote for your favourite design
Your feedback will shape the final decision and help bring Fort William’s next landmark to life.
