By Stephen Bark
Copyright dailyrecord
A project to transform an Ayrshire pathway and create a mural inside a former railway tunnel has been praised by an MSP. Ayr , Prestwick and Troon MSP, Siobhian Brown, recently visited the Alloway Railway Tunnel project to see the “striking” artwork as it edges closer to completion. Four years in the making, the project has been led by the Alloway community and was inspired by a similar project in the Colinton area of Edinburgh . Artist Chris Rutterford, who created the Colinton mural, was brought on board and the mural contains influences from Ayrshire and Alloway heritage including tributes to Robert Burns and, most recently added, Tam O’Shanter. Ms Brown highlighted the “striking” depiction of Tam O’ Shanter and his loyal horse Meg peering into the window of the Auld Kirk as an image that “brings to life one of Robert Burns’ most famous poems in a vibrant and engaging way”. During the visit, she also learned more about the plans for the next sections of the mural, as well as the innovative use of QR codes installed throughout the tunnel. Each QR code provides insights into the story of the mural and the local history it represents, making the tunnel not just a visual landmark but also an interactive educational resource for residents and visitors alike. The Alloway Railway Tunnel was constructed as part of the former Maidens and Dunure Light Railway which opened in 1906 and provided a link between Ayr and Girvan through Dunure, Maidens and Turnberry. A short-lived Alloway station was located just to the north of the tunnel – near to what is now the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum – between 1906 and 1933. Although the line lasted until the 1960s when it was a casualty of the Beaching Axe, most of the traffic in its latter years was post-war holiday makers going to the holiday camps at Heads of Ayr. Ms Brown said: “It was wonderful to see the exciting progress being made at the Alloway Tunnel. The mural is not only a striking piece of public art, but also a celebration of our local heritage and culture. “The addition of Tam O’ Shanter and Meg is a fantastic tribute to Burns, and the QR codes are a brilliant way to bring history to life for all generations. I’d like to thank Stuart and Tracy for taking the time to show me around and share their vision for the project.” Don’t miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter
