Living OUR AREA Kilmarnock

Legend has it that Kilmarnock derived its name from the early Christian missionary St. Marnock. ‘Kil’ being short for ‘cell’ or ‘church’. Settlements have existed since the Bronze Age but the town only started to expand in 1592 when it received a Royal Charter.

Today the population of the former market town stands at 44734. Heavy engineering has given way to light engineering and food and drink production - Kilmarnock is home to Johnnie Walker whisky and the nationally acclaimed Sandwich Company. New industries also include state of the art call centre developments including First Choice Travel.

One of Kilmarnock’s main features is Dean Castle Country Park, which is situated to the north of the town and contains collections of medieval armour and one of the finest collections of early European stringed instruments. The Dick Institute which is the Local Library, Museum and Art Gallery houses an excellent reference library and is another attraction noted for its impressive collections of Geology, Scottish Archaeology, Natural History and a varied programme of contemporary art and other exhibitions. 

Kilmarnock has a strong association with Robert Burns through the publication of the Kilmarnock Edition of his poems.

Kilmarnock has an award winning town centre offering major retailers in spacious pedestrianised surroundings.