I recently took a trip to the Ayrshire town of Kilmarnock to see Tom Lightbody’s stunning mural of Lady Kilmarnock on the gable of a wall on St Marnock Square. Lady Kilmarnock, Lady Anne Livingston Boyd was married to the 4th Earl of Kilmarnock, a Jacobite, who was captured, taken to the Tower of London and beheaded. During his imprisonment and after his execution, Lady Anne would take long walks in her garden, now named Howard Park and the area of her strolls is called The Lady’s Walk. Tom’s fine line work is used to full effect in the lace of her clothes and umbrella, reflecting the area’s thriving lace-making in the 19th Century. A mural that is well worth the trip in my opinion.
Whilst in the area, I wandered along to nearby John Dickie Street to see Michael Corr’s magnificent mural depicting Robbert Burns on the end gable of the building housing The Robert Burns World Federation. This bright colourful portrait has Rabbie as a younger man than that shown in Naysmith’s portrait. I think it is a wonderful addition to the town and is sure to attract people to visit it, just don’t look at the Facebook posts from the locals, the thread I spotted descended into comments about potholes, dog poo, and the Station clock.
Whilst travelling around the coastal area to go to some meetings, I ended up in Greenock where I came across Smug’s striking mural designed to promote breastfeeding in the Inverclyde area.
This artwork, which has transformed the gable end of a block of flats on Nicolson Street in Greenock, is another example of Sam’s photorealistic style.
Jim's travels 