What was once a dilapidated 150-metre railway tunnel in Alloway has been transformed into a stunning art mural. With the help of the local community and ArtRoots funding, the Alloway Railway Tunnel Art SCIO breathed new life into the historic space through a mural that celebrates the stories, people and places that make Ayrshire special.
The Ayr-based Cycling Without Age group brings residents on trishaws every day from care homes in the nearby area. Credit: Nadja Korner
In Alloway, a village near Ayr in Scotland, a 150 metre old railway tunnel was brought back to life.
Local residents came together with a shared ambition: to turn the historic Alloway Tunnel into a safe, welcoming and inspiring place for everyone to enjoy.
In 2023, our ArtRoots funding helped them make the vision a reality.
Alloway is home to Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns, and an area rich in history.
The Alloway Tunnel project celebrates that heritage by bringing Burns' writings, Ayrshire's history and its local community to life in the form of a stunning art mural.
In 2023, ArtRoots funding helped kick off the transformation of the tunnel into a into a safe, welcoming and inspiring place. Credit: Nadja Korner
Before the transformation, the tunnel was run down and felt intimidating to people walking through.
Many local residents avoided the tunnel altogether because they didn't feel safe.
When starting the transformation, it was clear to Shelagh and the team at Alloway Railway Tunnel Art SCIO that they needed to involve the whole community to make it happen.
By involving almost 3000 people of all ages, residents feel they have ownership of the space.
"The biggest impact the artwork has had is pride in the local community", Shelagh says.
"It's been such a worthwhile part of the project to help transform it from something that wasn't nice when you were out for a walk to something that is now a destination visit."
Now the path is a safe place.
It's traffic-free; the artwork is welcoming and lighting has improved visibility at night.
Shelagh, local resident and trustee at Alloway Railway Tunnel Art SCIO, has been part of the project from the beginning. Credit: Nadja Korner
A path connecting communities
The Alloway Tunnel connects to National Cycle Network Route 7 and the Ayrshire coastal path.
The route provides an important link between Alloway and Doonfoot.
The new art mural not only encourages active travel between the two communities, but residents also proudly bring visitors to see the mural.
Shelagh agrees and says: "Having a place like this encourages more people to walk, wheel and cycle. Having art on the Network gives people a reason to come. We've seen a lot more walkers, cyclists and actually people of all abilities come on the path."
"The tunnel offers something for everyone. From history people might have learned about in school, like Robert Burns, but there are also surprising stories", Shelagh says.
"For example Ayrshire's famous lace industry. I've lived here all my life and one thing I loved working for this project is learning about these fascinating facts of our local area."
Shelagh shares that the path has seen an incredible increase of visitors.
It has become a meeting point and vital active travel line for the local community.
The path is located closely to Robert Burns Birthplace Museum; bringing visitors into the tunnel from all corners of the world.
The accessible surface makes it possible for users of all abilities to enjoy the mural.
The Ayr-based Cycling Without Age group brings residents on trishaws every day from care homes in the nearby area; many of them love seeing the mural.
"It's hard to credit it was a railway tunnel. I'm part of a walking group too and the work that has gone into the tunnel and it being brought vividly is super for the senses", says trishaw passenger Amy. Credit: Nadja Korner
Cycling Without Age
Thanks to Cycling Without Age Ayr, residents from local care homes can get back out; exploring the area on adapted trishaw bikes and reconnecting with places that mean so much to them.
Amy and Dorothy both grew up in the local area and are fond of the work of Burns; especially the description of the landscape of Ayrshire county.
"I'm always delighted to come", says Amy. "You've got fresh air, great company and I can see our beautiful Ayrshire county."
On a recent ride the group visited Alloway Tunnel.
"I've never visited the tunnel when I went to school in Ayr", says Dorothy.
Amy nods. "It's hard to credit it was a railway tunnel. I'm part of a walking group too and the work that has gone into the tunnel and it being brought vividly is super for the senses."
Stewart, another regular passenger, is always keen to join the trips.
"I always sign up to come down in them. The bikes are a great thing. I really enjoy sitting, wrapped up and looking at the scenery."
Behind every ride are dedicated volunteer trishaw pilots like Mark and Linda, who help make these special moments happen.
"It's very rewarding", says Mark. "And you never quite know what happens. Today we had some Burns' poems and singing; which was great."
Linda adds: "It's a happy time. Residents don't always get a chance to get out, so seeing their faces light up when taking them out on a ride is wonderful."
Cycling Without Age is about so much more than getting from A to B.
Every ride helps people stay connected to their communities like in Alloway, enjoy the outdoors, and share meaningful moments with others.
Behind every ride are dedicated Cycling Without Age volunteer trishaw pilots like Mark, who help make these special moments happen. Credit: Nadja Korner
A living gallery
Alloway Railway Tunnel shows the power of community in action.
To date the project has involved over 3000 different people from all ages.
And every piece of art tells a story; created by and for the community.
A local artist worked together across the community — with school children, the local dementia group and local residents.
Everyone has played a part in creating the mural.
The result is a living gallery of Ayrshire stories: From potato farming to portraits of people that make the area what it is today.
It's easy to spend an hour exploring the tunnel.
Information plaques and QR codes invite visitors to go deeper into the creation and history of each mural piece.
The Alloway Tunnel is now getting its final strokes. When complete, the mural will be one of the largest in Scotland.
Feeling inspired to create art on the Network?
You can! ArtRoots is a community fund for art projects along traffic-free National Cycle Network routes in England and Scotland.
Community-led art projects can enhance neighbourhoods, raise awareness of local routes, build community connection, and encourage more people to get around by walking, wheeling and cycling.
