An exhibition showcasing the history of the Carrick area is proving a huge success. 

The display by the Carrick History Society is being showcased in The Gatherings - a former charity shop in Maybole High Street that has been renovated for community use. 

Simon Glendenning, chair of the Carrick History Society, says the group has had a fantastic response to the exhibition so far. 

He said: "It's been going tremendously well, as soon as I opened the door it was mobbed. 

"We don't really have a base or headquarters, so we were given the opportunity to rent the new community shop. 

"A local benefit company purchased building and used the money to do it up and created space that can be rented by anyone. 

"We were asked to come in and showcase our exhibition. We've loved being in it, it's been fantastic to show people around the shop and the photos and artefacts we've been donated over the years. 

"This week has spurred us on to seek a permanent place to create a museum. People have been so pleased they want something permanent.

"Not only have people been engaging with our historical artefacts and documents, they’ve been enjoying the new shop."

The Carrick History Society's display will be on show in The Gatherings at 44 High Street on Friday between 1pm and 8pm.

Entry is free and everyone is welcome.

For more information about the society, see www.carrickhistory.scot or email chair@carrickhistory.scot.

For many years, the building – then known as ‘Maybole Charity Shop’ – operated as an essential resource for local community groups to raise funds, with a different group taking the shop each week. 

Gradually, however, the building fell further and further into disrepair, thanks in part to flood damage from the flat above, and was at risk of collapse. 

After an enforced closure following structural assessments, the North Carrick Community Benefit Company (NCCBC) bought the shop three years ago, securing funding from Scottish Power Renewables, the Scottish Land Fund and the Scottish Government's Regeneration Capital Grants Fund.

The shop, named The Gatherings in a nod to the building's history as a haberdashery, is being run as a flexible community space suitable for exhibitions and workshops as well as retail and fund-raising.

It's now available to book for meetings, events and exhibitions at a rate of £115 per week, which includes a small subsidy to keep it affordable for community groups.

For more information about the shop, contact gatherings@nccbc.org.uk, see nccbc.org.uk or check out the ‘Improving North Carrick’ page on Facebook.