The Maclaurin Trust was established following the bequest of Mrs Mary Ellen Maclaurin who died in 1971, who wished to have an Art Gallery or Museum erected within the Royal Burgh of Ayr in memory of her husband, James Henry Maclaurin. After the building of such a place, the Trustees were to apply the rest of the Trust funds towards the upkeep of the gallery/museum and the purchase of items for a gallery/museum collection. It was decided that the adjacent servant quarters and stable block at Rozelle House should be converted into an art gallery in keeping with Mrs Maclaurin’s bequest.

The Maclaurin Collection

This collection includes paintings, drawings, sculptures and prints acquired by commission or purchased from artists or art dealers. The emphasis is on the modern period, loosely defined as being from 1900 to present. The collection also includes a small body of work from the 19th Century previously in the possession of the owners of Rozelle House. A small collection of children’s work also exists, being the award winners in the Maclaurin Art Competition.