Dailly, July Dawn 2011 
©Mike Bailey

Evening Light, Dailly 
©Bernie Bailey

McKechnie Institute

The McKechnie Institute is located in Dalrymple Street, the main thoroughfare of the town. Opened in 1889 was designed by McKissack & Rowan of Glasgow.  The building costs were met through the generosity of a local businessman, Thomas McKechnie.  The architectural style is "Scottish Baronial" with some Renaissance detailing.

In 1900 the ground floor included a Library, Reading Room and Ladies Room. On the first floor was a billiards room and beyond that the Librarians House.

In addition to the library, there were some museum displays and, after the loss of the McMaster Hall, some of the burgh's fine art collection was on display.

After the opening of the new library in the 1970's, the building fell into disuse.  Restored through a Manpower Services Job Creation scheme, the building reopened as a local museum and arts centre in 1984 

Material from the McKechnie Institute local history collection is usually on display, in conjunction with a programme of temporary visual arts exhibitions in the downstairs and upstairs galleries.

The McKechnie Institute collection is mainly memorabilia relating to Girvan and the Carrick area, but there is also a fine art collection containing some significant Scottish paintings and the work of local lawyer, Scott Valentine.  The fine art material is stored in Ayr and includes the Davidson Bequest and the Edmiston Bequest.

Exhibition Programme 2012

Robert Burns 1759-1796
Works from the Collections
21st January – 24th March 2012

Girvan 1960s
Leisure and Past Pleasures
31st March – 23rd June 2012

Collections in Miniature
30th June – 29th September 2012


McKechnie Open Art Exhibition
Paintings by Local Artists
30th June – 29th September 2012

Girvan Camera Club
Members’ Exhibition
6th October – 24th November 2012

Christmas at McKechnie
1st – 22nd December 2012

Opening Hours:
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 1pm - 4pm
Wednesday 1.30pm - 4.30pm
Saturday 10.30am - 4pm
Admission Free

Follow this LINK for contact details and further information.

Top

Girvan Camera Club

The Club meets in the Rear Hall, South Parish Church, Duncan Street, Girvan at 7.30pm on Tuesdays


Practical nights are arranged for the second Thursday of every month. During the summer months meetings commence at 7pm to make the most of the lighter nights as we get 'out and about' (weather permitting).

Girvan Camera Club
Syllabus 2011 - 2012

  1st February  ~  Tuitional evening.

8th February  ~  Competition "Nature"
Judged by Craig Lester from Dobbies.

15th February  ~  Talk
Fay Reid "I'm not a tourist I live here"

  22nd February  ~  Inter Club competition with Stranraer. Judged by Mike Blair

1st March  ~  Competition "Red" Judge Libby Smith

8th March  ~  Tell me about it. Every Picture has a story.

15th March  ~  "Portraits : let the character shine through" Andy McAlpine and Denis Reid

22nd March  ~  Competition Digital A.V.
Judged by Andy Simpson

29th March  ~  Talk "Unknown Ayrshire" by John Kelly

5th April  ~  Exhibition and Prize Giving 

  For further information, please follow this LINK to the group's web site

Top

Art for All

John McKenna was born in Manchester and at a young age moved to Worcestershire where he attended the Royal Grammar School, Worcester. He studied at the Victoria Institute, Worcester and was awarded a Diploma in Art & Design with merit and distinction. After a further period of study at Middlesex Art College in London he was awarded a three year bursary to study at the prestigious Sir Henry Doulton School of Sculpture when it was under the patronage of Dame Elizabeth Frink.

In 2002 John relocated his studio to a smallholding farm near Turnberry and set up a steel sculpture fabrication workshop and a sculpture bronze casting studio facility to continue his large scale public artworks.

John continues with his own work at the new studio but he also offers a variety of courses and workshops.  In the Spring of 2011 there will be a series of Bronze casting courses and a wax sketching workshop.  A variety of other courses are available throughout the year.

For further information, please follow this LINK

Top

Spring Lambs at Bargany, 2009 
©Bernie Bailey

Bargany Gardens 
©M.Bailey

Top

Snow on Hadyard Hill, Dailly 
©Bernie Bailey

Top

Heron at Dailly Bridge 
©MBailey

Top

Snow drops and ruined  castle at Dalquharran, Dailly 
©Bernie Bailey

Top

Girvan Harbour 
©Mike Bailey

Top

Merlin's Art Cart

The introduction of the Curriculum for Excellence in Scottish Schools brings opportunities for primary pupils and students in secondary education to engage with working artists and makers, performers and animatuers.

In response to this enhancement to the school curriculum, theatre artist Merlin Currie has launched her Art Cart.

Merlin offers teachers and students the opportunity to . . . "Dip into The Art Cart for bespoke educationally creative workshops. Customised to complement the curriculum, tailor made to engage and match materials to specific age groups and needs of Primary, Secondary or Community groups."

Please follow this LINK for further information on Merlin's work.  Further information about Art Cart can be found on Merlin's web site. 

Carrick Rural Arts Group is an arts charity based in Girvan. The group was established in 2004 with the aim of providing opportunities for local people to engage with and participate in quality arts events and activities. Our most notable event is the Festival of Light which involves several weeks of lantern workshops in Girvan and surrounding rural area culminating in the River of Light Lantern Parade through the town, ending at the shore front where our resident artist David Powell has over the years developed a spectacular fire show.  The theme for 2010 is Lore & Legend.

CRAG has also organised Community pantomimes, samba Drumming workshops and has been responsible for many art workshops and building of big puppets for local parades.

The Burning Man event on the first weekend in May is also becoming established as an annual occurrence in the town. Fundraising events include Tea in the Park, a tea tent serving delicious homebaking, teas and coffees at the Lowland Gathering.

For further information, please follow this LINK

Top

Proposals for Arts and Sport Facility

Council officers brought proposals for a new swimming pool to a meeting of elected members on 17th December, 2010. In a web posting described as an 'Historic decision for Girvan and South Carrick', the council publicity team outlined the outcome of that meeting.

'The year will end on a high for communities in the Girvan and South Carrick area after South Ayrshire Councillors approved proposals for a major redevelopment that will support the regeneration of the area, enhance tourism and leisure opportunities and boost the local economy.

The decision was taken at the last meeting of South Ayrshire Council this year and comes 11 months after the Council initially approved a motion for proposals to be developed for a new multi-faceted facility that would help address the health, education, economic, environmental and social needs of the area.

At the meeting, Councillors agreed the proposal to develop such a facility at the harbourside in Girvan, with the aim of creating a "catalytic effect" on economic regeneration.

Proposals for the £8 million facility include:

* a swimming pool, cafe and fitness suite;

* balcony viewing areas that promote the unrivalled viewpoint of the site;

* a multi-purpose gathering space that could be used for community events and social activities;

* an outdoor learning and activity centre with climbing wall that could accommodate cycling, walking, paddle sport and sailing activities (sic); and

* a quality restaurant.'

During March 2011 the Council is consulting on how the multi-functional gathering space might be used and gathering views on other aspects of the project.

Top

Girvan Musical Society

Girvan Musical Society was established in 1997.

The group's aims are to study and perform musical plays and to endeavour to bring entertainment to the people of Girvan and the wider community.  This is achieved by presenting at least one public performance each year.

Membership is open to all and new members will be made very welcome; all we ask is enthusiasm and dedication.  performances are in the theatre at Girvan Academy.

Recent productions have included Oklahoma (1999), Oliver (2004), Fiddler on the Roof (2008) and Hello Dolly (2009).

For further information, please follow this LINK

Top