New life has been breathed into Kilmarnock town centre following the installation of a huge mural.
The giant gable-end artwork towers over the newly-created green space dubbed St Marnock Square where a series of shops, including Mothercare, used to be housed.
Demure and forlorn, the lady in red clutching a black parasol painted by local artist Tom Lightbody has intrigued and delighted many since it was put in place.
But not many people know the truly tragic tale behind the new larger than life installation.
Celebrate Kilmarnock, who commissioned Tom to carry out the work, say the woman is an interpretation of the Countess of Kilmarnock — Lady Anne Livingston Boyd.
Lady Boyd was married to William Boyd, the 4th Earl of Kilmarnock. The couple lived in Kilmarnock House, now St Marnock Street car park, a stone's throw away from the mural site.
In 1746, the Earl and Countess had extensive gardens — now the Howard Park — to the south of Kilmarnock House. St. Marnock Street did not exist then.
The Earl of Kilmarnock sided with Bonnie Prince Charlie during the Jacobite Rebellion, and as colonel in the Horse Grenadiers, he was indebted to his wife during the battle of Falkirk Muir (17/1/1746) for deliberately delaying the opposition general at a lunch, therefore ensuring he was late for the conflict and unable to gain victory for the government.
Three months later the battle at Culloden took place with disastrous consequences for the Jacobite cause.
The earl of Kilmarnock was captured and taken to the Tower of London and beheaded.
During the Earl’s imprisonment, execution and thereafter, the Countess would take long grief-stricken walks in her garden — now the Howard Park.
Sadly, Lady Boyd died broken-hearted less than a year later.
This is the origin of 'The Lady’s Walk' in The Howard Park, and many claim to have witnessed her sorrowful, ghostly traipses through the centuries.
A pivotal moment in Kilmarnock’s rich history, depicted exactly where the mural is displayed.
The painting also pays homage to the lace-making industry, which was flourishing in East Ayrshire in the 19th century.
Nearby is Belford Mill, formerly Fleming's Lace Mill, which still stands to this day and is currently a business workspace.
The Countess of Kilmarnock's parasol and clothing nods to that integral industry with lace designs which are faithful copies of original designs produced by the Belford Mill.
A spokesperson for Celebrate Kilmarnock said: "The Countess of Kilmarnock is a unique and fitting choice for the St Marnock Square Mural. Tom Lightbody has depicted an event that happened right here, and with a nod to local lace-making production, has composed a very influential work of art which will resonate with the people of Kilmarnock, and beyond, for many years to come.
"The Countess of Kilmarnock Mural is only the first phase of the redevelopment of the St Marnock Square site. Celebrate Kilmarnock are taking the lead in transforming the area into a multi-functional community garden and event space."
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