Living OUR AREA Stewarton

Stewarton, (population 6691) is pleasantly situated in open countryside 6 miles north of Kilmarnock. The town motto ‘Knit Weel’ reflects Stewarton’s long connection with the wool trade and a major centre of bonnet manufacture for over 4 centuries being known as the "Bonnet Toon".  The Bonnet Court of Corsehill dates from 1549. During the 18^th and 19^th centuries, blanket making and the weaving of cotton and muslin were important industries, though they were largely superseded by knitwear and hosiery in more recent times. Light engineering was established during the Second World War.

David Dale, the creator of the model town at New Lanark, was born in Stewarton.