Sea Trek Parade

This exhibition showcases the costumes, artwork and photos from the recent Sea Trek parade at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, which was held in partnership with Artlink.

It marked the fourth annual parade at the hospital, following Worm Walk (2022), Murmuration March (2023), and Snails Pace Parade (2024). This year, we dived beneath the waves, transforming the hospital grounds into a vibrant celebration of sea life.

Led by Poseidon, God of the seas, the parade featured the Wednesday Art Group as his shoal, dressed in shell tunics and coral headdresses. They were joined by Michael the Octopus, Sean the Lobster, Tommy and his Squid, Wilma the Whale, and a lively school of fish, turtles, and jellyfish.

Drumming by Marafiki and chants led by “Starfish Len” kept spirits high:
 “All save the whale!”
 “Don’t hurtle the turtle!”
 “Squidy, Squidy, Squidy… INK! INK! INK!”

The route flowed from the Glasshouses, past “Turtle Beach” and the R.E.B. entrance, to the Community Gardens for refreshments and seahorse races, before ending at the Hive with sea-themed poems, bubbles, and jellyfish bunting.

Sea Trek crowned three months of workshops with patients, staff, and volunteers led by textile artist Laura Lees, who guided the transformation of everyday materials into extraordinary creations – curtains became tentacles, umbrellas jellyfish, cardboard seascapes, and last year’s giant carrot was reborn as a squid.

The event brought so many different bodies from the hospital community together to make, share, engage and enjoy. Truly remarkable. Well done everyone.

This exhibition captures the creativity, detail, and collaboration that brought Sea Trek to life.

With thanks to the following partners for their creative contribution and participation:

Artlink
Robert Ferguson Unit for the use of the bike
Cyrennians and Community Gardens Volunteers
The Hive and SAMH staff