More than 200 children braved the cold and rain to catch a glimpse of one of Scotland’s largest murals.
Around a quarter of the Alloway Tunnel project in South Ayrshire is complete, with many of the details being painted by Doonfoot primary school children and local artists.
The initiative aims to transform an old graffiti covered railway tunnel into a community space.
The tunnel, which is 140 metres long, is just yards away from the birthplace of Robert Burns and the artwork will pay tribute to the national bard.
It’s a huge undertaking by artist Christopher Rutterford, who completed a similar tunnel revamp in Edinburgh two years ago.
The renowned painter says it was vital to involve local children in his latest venture.
He told STV News: “We want the place to really reflect Ayrshire history, so I’ve got the portrait of Burns, but we will have all the heritage built into the mural over time.
“The trick for me is balancing the professional stuff against the community element, so that it’s a mural the community can really own.”
The visiting kids originally painted their pieces on plywood at a workshop back in October.
More sessions are planned over the next year and gradually the jigsaw should reveal a masterpiece – one that the children are already proud of and can’t wait to see.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
