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Sitting on the edge of the
Southern Uplands, Muirkirk lies to the south-east of the authority and
has a population of 1865.
The 'Moor Kirk' existed long
before the town of Muirkirk. This church or 'kirk' was built in 1631.
In July 1680, Airdsmoss was the scene of the Cameronians' first and last stand. In June of 1680 (a year after the Battle of Bothwell Bridge) Richard Cameron and his followers declared war at Sanquhar against King Charles II (commonly called the Sanquhar Declaration). The Cameronians then formed themselves into a small fighting force and it was at Airdsmoss that about 60 of them met the Government dragoons, who numbered about 120, lead by Bruce of Earlshall. The Government forces won and in the process Richard Cameron, his brother Michael and 8 of their followers were killed.
Muirkirk is home to many Covenanter's stories and an information display at the Covenanter's Heritage layby beside the A70 at Muirkirk is a good starting point to exploring the history of the area. The memorials reads:
Sacred to the memory of the Rev. Richard Cameron, Michael Cameron, John Gemmel, John Hamilton, James Gray, Robert Dick, Captain John Fowler, Thomas Watson, Robert Paterson.
On the flat stone below, there is engraved a Bible and a sword with the following words
Here lies the corpse of that famous and faithful preacher of the Gospel, the Rev. Richard Cameron, with the corpses of several others, who were conquered by the bloody enemies of Truth and Righteousness.
Halt, curious passenger, come and read,
Our souls triumph with Christ our Glorious Head.
In self-defence, we murdered here do ly,
To witness 'gainst this nation's perjury.
Many of the paths follow ancient roads and rights-of-way.
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