Opened in 1976, the Maclaurin Art Gallery comprises four galleries which have been created within the renovated classical stable block and servant's quarters of Rozelle House in S Ayr, and houses an extensive permanent collection, in addition to temporary and touring exhibitions of fine art.
The property was given to the Royal Burgh of Ayr in 1968 along with Rozelle House which now houses a museum. It was converted into a gallery 1975-6, by Cowie, Torry & Partners, using a bequest from Mrs Mary Ellen Maclaurin, left to the town of Ayr in 1971 for the erection of a museum or gallery in memory of her husband, James Henry Maclaurin. The Maclaurin Trust was created to oversee the project, ensure the upkeep of the gallery and purchase of items for the collection.
The collection includes drawings, paintings, prints and sculpture which were either especially commissioned or purchased from dealers or directly from artists. Most are modern works, dating from 1900 -1990, but these are augmented by a small collection of 19th century work that had once been displayed in Rozelle House. There are also several works by children which were winners of the Maclaurin Art Competition. In the courtyard is a nude by Henry Moore.
Today, the gallery is managed by South Ayrshire Council on behalf of the Trust.
