Kilbirnie wall mural is on the up

The Garnock Valley Locality team alongside volunteers from the wider community have created a new community mural in the heart of Kilbirnie.

An intergenerational project involving people of all ages, the mural was co-developed in partnership with Impact Arts and the design has been created following this summer’s successful Paint and Pie pop-up events.

North Ayrshire Provost Anthea Dickson unveiled the mural at an evening opening ceremony on Tuesday 2 September. She commended the Garnock Valley Locality team - part of the council’s wider Community Learning and Development service - for providing the opportunity and the warm pies that really drew in the budding artists at the weekly creative sessions.

Located on the Main Street adjacent to the roundabout at Radio City, the derelict space was formerly an unloved gap site. Now completely transformed with the expertise of artist Nicola McGuigan from Little Book Transfers, the marvellous mural is bursting with colour, vibrancy and community spirit.

The Provost shared: “Vibrant, interesting and exploring key historical landmarks, the new Kilbirnie ‘On the Up’ mural is such a wonderful addition, to what was previously an unloved and derelict spot in the town, lacking in any colour or interest.

“I am delighted that the Garnock Valley Locality team alongside Impact Arts have been able to transform this wall space, with the ideas and hard work of a group of volunteers. It is now a spectacular focal point for all to enjoy.

“Everyone came along once a week to volunteer their own time over the summer to create the design, brought to life by Impact Arts and the medium of paint, and this shows a superb commitment with input from all ages. Thank you to everyone involved, there’s nothing better than community projects that encourage intergenerational involvement and bring communities together and I have no doubt that the mural will provide an interesting talking point for residents and visitors to Kilbirnie for many years to come.”

Garnock Valley Youth Forum volunteer and MSYP for Cunninghame North Rhyan Gorrie shared: “A big thank you to everyone who helped with the Paint and Pie project. I volunteered time alongside my friends and we have loved being a part of the project. This mural is a celebration of Kilbirnie’s long and rich history, and of the love we share for our town. What makes it extra special is how it brought together people of all ages, united in a single goal, to see Kilbirnie on the up!”

The uplifting tagline 'On the Up' is depicted using a spool of flax linen thread referencing the town’s linen production and flax farming heritage, most notably by W & J Knox.

The inclusion of a fish lady is also a nod to the same company who have been cleaning and repairing fishing nets for the past 240 years – explaining the fish pong that locals are all to familiar with!

Other elements include the Kilbirnie War Memorial arch, a wheelbarrow full of veggies from The Wee School Pantry community larder, Kilbirnie loch, and the striking Hygieia statue and snake – representing the Greek goddess of health, sanitation and hygiene – as this is a much-loved local statue, situated outside Kilbirnie’s Walker Memorial Hall.

Artist Nikki McGuigan (pictured with pink vest) from Little Book Transfers was responsible for coordinating the project on behalf of Impact Arts. She said: “When I heard about ‘Paint and a Pie’ I thought… people coming together to be creative whilst eating pastry?! Now that sounds like a good time to me!

“It was a joy to facilitate this mural and get people in the community involved in something they had never done before. It was great to see everyone sharing knowledge, staying committed throughout and getting stuck in to the painting.

"During the first session on the street, participants and passer’s by were asked - ‘If you could describe Kilbirnie in three words, what would they be?’ For every negative they had to counteract with a positive answer…

“We decided it made sense to include some of these words in the mural. We had a few different options for the tagline and we cast a vote and ‘On the Up’ was chosen. I think this reflects the positive attitude those who took part have about Kilbirnie!"

Amanda Munro, Programme Manager at Impact Arts added: “Our mission at Impact Arts is to help people and communities transform their lives through creativity and the arts, and so when we were approached about helping to create a community mural over the summer we jumped at the chance.

“Impact Arts has a long history of working in North Ayrshire, and we believe creative interventions like painting a mural are a fantastic way to bring people together, often across generations to share experiences and learning.

“We worked hard to ensure the group worked with an experienced artist like Nikki, who could produce a final design that demonstrates all the views from the discussion stages in an eye-catching way that gives a statement for the future of Kilbirnie.

“We enjoyed working with the Garnock Valley Locality team based in Kilbirnie, Gavin and David, who care so much about improving opportunities for their local community, and it was a pleasure to partner with them.”

Published: 11 September 2025