Tourism

THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN AND AROUND CUMNOCK

The Cumnock area is a delightful mix of open countryside and heritage sites.

No visitor to this part of the world should miss visiting Mauchline, which was the home of Robert Burns during the most creative period of his life. Here he met many of the characters who inspired him and wrote his poems about them.
Visit:

• the Burns House Museum, where he lived after his marriage to Jean Armour
• Nanse Tinnock's, known in Burns' time as the Sma' Inn, where,according to local tradition, he gave the first reading of 'The Holy Fair'
• Poosie Nancy's Inn, still a pub, which inspired Burns to write 'Love and Liberty'
• the kirkyard where lie several of Burns' contemporaries who had an effect upon his life and work, and members of his family.

See:

• the cairn at the entrance to the working farm where he wrote 'To a Mouse'
• the National Burns Memorial Tower.
  

See Robert Burns

There are also a number of enjoyable circular walks around Mauchline. Select for more information
Bargain hunters should look out for the factory shop associated with local production of crystal glasses.

Lovers of Robert Burns or of beautiful scenery will also wish to visit Afton Glen near New Cumnock, ("flow gently sweet Afton"). Partway along the Glen a memorial has been created by local Burns enthusiasts, and seating is provided. See Robert Burns

Visit New Cumnock for local walks on the edge of the Southern Uplands. Select for more information

Cumnock is the central town for the southern part of East Ayrshire. Cumnock and its close neighbour, Auchinleck, have long histories, as the historic buildings of The Square, Cumnock, with its Church and Mercat Cross, show. However, their fastest growth was during the last 200 years, when the Ayrshire Coalfield was one of the powerhouses of the world.

Keir Hardie, founder of the British Labour Party, lived in Cumnock for many years. He is commemorated by a bronze bust by the sculptor Benno Schotz RSA, which is situated outside Cumnock Town Hall.

Built around 1833, Glaisnock House was designed by James Ingram of Kilmarnock for James Allason, the owner at that time. The house has been extended since. The estate was broken up around 1949, the mansion and its immediate policies being bought by Ayr County Council and opened in 1952 as a junior secondary school. Taking boarders as well as day pupils, the school specialised in rural education and was much beloved of farmers. In 1968 it was upgraded to a four-year school, but it was closed in June 1973. It subsequently became a residential centre for outdoor studies, but now lies empty.

Nearby Lugar was the home of 'Gas' Murdoch, inventor of gas lighting. The pits are now closed and the local economy is more diverse. Bargain hunters will want to visit the factory shops, particularly for clothing and footwear.

Visit the Baird Institute, Cumnock for:

• local history displays
• exhibitions; and
• help in researching your family history
  

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A little way outside Auchinleck lies Auchinleck House, family home of a man variously regarded as either a dissolute or as one of Britain's greatest diarists - James Boswell. After their tour of the Highlands, Boswell took his friend Dr Johnson to Auchinleck House. Boswell's father, Lord Auchinleck and Johnson did not get on!

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The village of Sorn lies in the valley of the River Ayr. High on a rock overlooking the river is Sorn Castle which, in addition to its architectural interest, contains a number of artworks. The Castle is in private ownership and is open to the public for limited hours or by appointment. For details contact 01292 268 181

There are riverside walks in the local area. Select for more information

In 1787 David Dale (of New Lanark fame and later to be father-in-law of Robert Owen) and Claud Alexander, the owner of the Ballochmyle Estate, constructed a cotton mill and built the planned village of Catrine around the mill to house its workers, mainly Highlanders who had been evicted from their homes by the Highland Clearances. The Old Mill was demolished in the 1960s, but the Voes, a series of header tank reservoirs, and some other industrial archaeology can still be seen.

There is some pleasant walking in the local nature reserve. Catrine is about a mile detour from the A76 and is set amongst enchanting
scenery. Walk in the footsteps of Robert Burns, Richard Arkwright, David Dale and Claud Alexander. Visit the website of the Catrine Community Trust to find out more about the town of Catrine.

Muirkirk is a former mining village high in the uplands near the Ayrshire/Lanarkshire border. It has a proud history, including links to the Covenanters and to John Loudon MacAdam the famous engineer and roadbuilder.

Visit Muirkirk for a network of local walks in this remote and sublime area. Select for more information

Ochiltree's Main Street provides a charming view of historic domestic buildings.