Alloway Tunnel Mural | Chris Rutterford

Chris painting the crowd for his Colinton mural

Take your place in Ayrshire History

Click here to add YOUR portraits in the “Last Train to Butlins” mural in the Alloway Tunnel

Last Train to Butlins Mural in the Alloway Tunnel

Take your place in history.

Welcome to the last Train to Butlins portrait buy-in page.

This is your chance to get you & your loved ones’ portraits hand painted into the Alloway Tunnel mural by the artist Chris Rutterford.

Alloway holds a place as one of Scotland’s true hearts, as the birthplace of Robert Burns.

The brand new Alloway Tunnel mural is already a fabulous new much loved centrepiece for the area , it is already winning awards for its unique approach and quality

The mural is a blend of glorious professional artwork alloyed with a strong community element; over 3000 local children and amateur artists have taken part in the project led by Scottish muralist Chris Rutterford.

Alloway Tunnel planning drawing — Alloway Tunnel – working drawings for mural

Tartan tourism has always flowed into the tunnel, when it was the main arrival point by rail in the area.

The tunnel was a jumping spot to the famous Butlins in Ayrshire. The last train to the Butlins at Alloway left in 1968, when the Maidens and Dunure Light Railway line finally closed that year.

We want to commemorate that moment and celebrate those exciting times.

This new crowd mural at the end of the tunnel will depict the joyous moment the revellers climb aboard the magical train to Butlins.

It will be part of the climax of the tunnel and will be directly opposite a spectacular new 17m long depiction of Tam O’Shanter bursting out of the Alloway Tunnel with Nanny the witch in hot pursuit, heading toward the world famous Brig O’ Doon, only a few hundred meters away!

Alloway Tunnel - Portrait Examples with reference photos — Portrait Examples- from Alloway Tunnel Mural

Chris Rutterford, lead artist in the tunnel is one of Scotland’s top mural artists and an expert in the field of crowd paintings. He has successfully crafted around a dozen crowd murals over the last decade.

Painting will start in November 2025 with as many early birds painted by Christmas as possible, the goal is to reveal portraits as they emerge with the final section due to be completed in late spring 2026.

This is a limited offer.
Once the platform is full the mural sign up page will be closed.

Don’t miss out on this moment in time!!

All you need to do is sign up and send in a photo, and Chris will paint you in.

Please watch the video below for more on the project.

How to upload your photo

Take your photos outside in daylight
Avoid direct sunshine
Don’t use flash
Try not to look directly at the camera
If you are having a group painted in, pose in small groups and interact together.
You are at a Fantastic party having a wonderful time.. so remember to have fun!
Upload only pictures of people you want painted in
Any special requests, tell us in the “Useful information” box on the portrait order form