Alasdair Gray to restore mural

Published on Sunday 12 April 2009 21:49

A MURAL by one of Scotland's most famous living painters and writers is to be restored by its creator after it was discovered behind layers of wallpaper in a bar, it emerged yesterday.

The Falls of Clyde was one of Alasdair Gray's earliest murals, but it became lost to the public when it was covered in wallpaper, paint and light fittings more than a decade ago.

Now Gray is set to pick up his paintbrushes and begin a ten-day project to bring the mural back to life after being persuaded to do so by the Lanarkshire bar's new owner.

Gray – best known for his novel Lanark and his mural on the ceiling of Glasgow's Oran Mor venue – was initially commissioned to paint The Falls of Clyde 40 years ago by the then owners of the Tavern at Kirkfieldbank.

The painter was reunited with his work after being contacted by businessman Andy Boyle, who recently refurbished and reopened the premises as the Riverside Bar and Restaurant, along the New Lanark and Falls of Clyde Walk.

Mr Boyle said: "I was intrigued when I caught a glimpse of some artwork hidden away in the lounge.

It had been covered in wallpaper and paint for over ten years."

He added: "We believe the mural is an invaluable piece of Scottish art history."

Gray said: "I tried to make this long, narrow mural combine many views of the Clyde gorge from Bonnington Lynn, down to Cora Lynn and New Lanark."