ICONIC Charles Rennie Mackintosh roses appeared on the streets of Helensburgh this week after local artists stencilled them on pavements as part of the Big Rose Project.

The roses greeted visitors at Helensburgh Central rail station and led visitors to the doors of the recently established Mackintosh Club, at 40 Sinclair Street.

The building, designed in 1984, featured in this year’s Mackintosh Festival as a public gallery dedicated to the Glasgow Four – Mackintosh and his peers Herbert MacNair and artists Margaret and Frances MacDonald – with daily talks throughout October on the collaboration of inspiring architecture, art and design.

On Tuesday, the club hosted a masterclass, led by Elisabeth Culshaw, which attracted both members of the public and two Burgh artists, Lesley Carruthers and Mary Batchelor.

After the workshop, those who attended headed outside to stencil the Mackintosh Glasgow Rose on the streets of Helensburgh.

Stuart Robertson, director of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, said: “The idea of the Big Rose Project is to raise the profile of Mackintosh by getting people talking and involved.

“Seeing the roses gets people talking and they are so distinctive in design, most people know its Mackintosh. Elisabeth’s worked hard on the project to get everyone involved. Its a great way to get everyone in a community involved in the festival.”

The festival, running throughout the month of October, has seen various venues across the country taking part in exhibitions, events and tours to celebrate the life of Scottish artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Nicola Jamieson, architect and owner of the Mackintosh Club, said: “The Mackintosh Club was absolutely thrilled to be part of the Big Rose Project.

“Elisabeth Culshaw instructed a comprehensive and skilful masterclass within the billiard room and we were genuinely honoured to have two local artists join in.

“The main purpose for the event happened when we withdrew outside and stencilled the famous Mackintosh Glasgow Rose, 24 in total from Helensburgh Station to the door of the Mackintosh Club.

“Mr Robertson followed when he visited on Tuesday, it was a wonderful example of outdoor art being created by the community.”

And the local club has been honoured with a further role – hosting the closing party for the Mackintosh Festival on Monday, October 31.

The idea behind the Big Rose Project was to spread good design and engage with both artists and the public by creating carpets of large Glasgow style roses at each of the venues of the Glasgow Mackintosh Heritage using stencils.

The Mackintosh Club will host the closing party for the Mackintosh Festival on Monday, October 31.

Mr Robertson added: “The Mackintosh Club was chosen for the closing party as it is a new venue to the festival and is one of the lesser known Mackintosh buildings. The closing party was seen as a good way to showcase the building and help to build the profile as not many people have seen it.”

Nicola added: “We were elated when asked. The 2016 festival has been outstanding and is worthy of a top-drawer wrap party.

“I have lined up some memorable entertainment, very in keeping with Halloween and following the theme of our exhibition The Glasgow Four.

“We have been overwhelmed by the support and enthusiasm the exhibition has attracted, our visitors book is jam-packed with positive and heart-warming comments.

“It is tremendous to be collaborating with Hill House and encouraging visitors to spend more time in Helensburgh.”

The Mackintosh Club, which was previously a billiard and committee room for the Helensburgh and Gareloch Conservative Association, had lain empty since the 1970s before it was purchased in June for a five-figure sum by Bruce and Nicola, who run architect firm Pure Green Space.