Railway tunnel near Burns' birthplace transformed by new Tam o'Shanter mural

A former railway tunnel, a stone’s throw away from Robert Burns’ birthplace, has been transformed by a mural in homage to the legendary poet.

The 140-metre-long Alloway Tunnel has been turned from a dark, graffiti-covered underpass into a colourful community space, hand-painted by primary school children and local artists.

The project, which has cost around £200,000, is nearing completion and is already being described as one of the longest murals in Scotland.

The artwork depicts scenes from Burns’ poem Tam o’ Shanter, including the famous moment where Tam, on horseback, is chased by a group of witches.

The tunnel has been hand-painted by around 3,000 schoolchildren and artists in the local community STV News

Lead artist Christopher Rutterford said his vision for the tunnel dates back more than a decade.

He told STV News: “I first came across this tunnel in 2012, and it was grim – a hole in the ground, full of tags, mouldy and smelly. People felt unsafe coming through it. It really wasn’t an asset to the area.

“But I also thought it was a magnificent canvas – a great hall, like a tube that opens out, with these vaulted ceilings and big iron bars across it. I remember thinking how amazing it was.”

Christopher was invited by Ron Ireland, chair of the Alloway Railway Tunnel project, to take on the role of lead artist in 2022, with the community also encouraged to get involved.

“It’s absolutely a collaboration,” he said. “I’ve worked with around 3,000 local children and artists.

“What they bring is so fresh. I work alongside them, then later step back and refine it so it all comes together.”

The mural blends Ayrshire heritage with a strong narrative thread drawn from Burns’ work. Alongside references to the landscape and local history, the story of Tam o’ Shanter is woven through the length of the tunnel.

Lead muralist Christopher Rutterford STV News

Alloway Tunnel Art Project trustee Stuart Bates said the idea for transforming the tunnel began around four years ago.

“We live locally and always thought this was a terrible place to walk through,” he said. “People hurried through it. It was full of graffiti and didn’t feel welcoming. We knew it could be so much better.”

He said it was important that the mural wasn’t just the work of professional artists.

“We were very keen that this would be a place people felt comfortable in – and that they owned,” he added.

Stuart believes the tunnel is now a new focal point for the area, alongside nearby attractions such as the Burns Museum.

“We want it to be a living place – somewhere people of all ages can enjoy,” he said. “People who haven’t seen it yet are amazed. We get visitors from far and wide who come for Burns, and now discover this as well.

“It’s given people something to be proud of.”