Machair- "A Gaelic word meaning fertile, low-lying grassy plain. Refers to a unique habitat; only occurring on the exposed west-facing shores of Scotland and Ireland." - The Wildlife Trusts
Silent Narrative Book & Interpretation Panel – North Coast 500 Environmental Education Project
In Collaboration with Local Ranger Services
In Collaboration with Local Ranger Services
This project was developed in response to a brief addressing the environmental impact of the North Coast 500 (NC500), a scenic touring route launched in 2015 that spans over 500 miles across the North Highlands. While the route has grown to become one of the UK’s most popular road trips, it has also led to environmental degradation in several sensitive areas.
Two beaches in particular—Traigh and Ceannabeinne—have suffered damage to their fragile machair ecosystems due to wild camping and campfires. Although signage has been installed to explain temporary fencing and conservation efforts, these messages have often gone unnoticed or unheeded.
The brief called for the creation of a silent narrative (wordless picture) book and accompanying activity pack that local ranger services could share with visiting families. The aim was to raise awareness and inspire more responsible behaviour through engaging, educational storytelling. In addition, the project included a matching illustrated interpretation panel, designed to be adaptable across various sites along the NC500.
To maintain an inviting and imaginative tone, I chose to incorporate elements of fantasy while still delivering a powerful environmental message. The story centres on the endangered great yellow bumblebee, often found within the machair. It follows a young girl visiting the NC500 with her family who, in a dream, is shrunk to the size of a bumblebee and experiences the beauty—and the harm—within the ecosystem from a new perspective.
The interpretation panel was designed with interactivity in mind, featuring a metal engraving of a bumblebee for children to take rubbings of as part of the activity pack. This tactile element adds an engaging, hands-on component that encourages further exploration and helps ensure the educational content is not overlooked. The engraving design can be adapted for different sites along the NC500, featuring other flora, fauna, or characters from the story—making each location feel unique while reinforcing the wider conservation message.
This project combines environmental education with storytelling, aiming to inspire both children and adults to become more mindful stewards of Scotland’s precious natural landscapes.
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