A Celebration of Heritage and Community
As part of a collaborative initiative with Sustrans, Bigg Design and Fun Makes Good produced designs to reinvigorate Townhead Square, a key civic space in Kirkintilloch. The project introduces creative enhancements including a large-scale mural, improved lighting, playful ground graphics, and bespoke street furniture - each element thoughtfully designed to reflect the town’s distinctive history and natural surroundings.
A Design Inspired by Place
At the heart of the revitalisation is a mural that draws on Kirkintilloch’s diverse and layered past. From Neolithic finds to its time as a Roman fort along the Antonine Wall, Kirkintilloch has long been a site of historical significance. During the Industrial Revolution, it became a hub for textile manufacturing, shipbuilding and iron founding - famously producing the iconic red telephone and post boxes. Known as the ‘Canal Capital of Scotland, the town’s location on the Forth and Clyde Canal and its connections by rail also cemented its importance as a centre for transport and trade.
The mural’s narrative reflects these histories whilst the white-on-blue style is inspired by archival blueprints from the iron foundries. A subtle Japanese aesthetic also weaves through the composition - an homage to Rita Cowan, a Kirkintilloch-born woman often referred to as the ‘Mother of Japanese Whisky’who along with her husband, Masataka Taketsuru, co-founded the country’s first whisky distillery.
A Community-Led Process
The designs were shaped through a series of workshops and idea sessions with local schoolchildren and residents, ensuring the final outcomes reflected community stories and aspirations. These sessions included collaging activities and open discussions around memory, identity, and public space.
Enhancing the Public Realm
Surrounding the mural, new clusters of street furniture, ground murals, and planting help to activate the space for everyday use. Developed with Sustrans, the forms of these installations subtly echo the hulls of canal boats that once transported coal and goods along the waterway. Their arrangement supports a variety of uses - seating, informal gathering, and children’s play - while improved lighting enhances safety and ambiance during darker hours.
Conclusion
This project transforms Townhead Square into a vibrant and welcoming public space that honours Kirkintilloch’s past while supporting its contemporary identity as a town of culture, creativity, and community. By weaving together local stories, a fascinating heritage, and input from residents, the design establishes a strong sense of place—anchored in history, yet open to the future.