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.
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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.
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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.
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David Dale, father in law of Robert Owen, started a model industrial
community at Catrine in 1787 which was a precursor to the great
experiment at New Lanark. Unfortunately, the main industrial building
of that period, Catrine Mill, was destroyed by fire many years ago, but
the Voes, a series of ponds where river water was dammed and released
to power the great mill wheels, have been renovated. These are to be found
a little way off the main road on the northern side of the village.
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 Robert MacAdam the famous engineer and roadbuilder.
Visit Muirkirk for a network of local walks in this remote and sublime
area.
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Ochiltree's Main Street provides a charming view of historic domestic
buildings.
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