Tourism

FAMOUS PEOPLE

East Ayrshire has produced many famous names who have gone on to international recognition.

William Wallace may have been born at Ellerslie near Kilmarnock, his father's stronghold was at Riccarton. Robert Burns had many associations with the area - he farmed at Mossgiel , lived in Mauchline with Jean Armour and his 'First Edition' was printed in Kilmarnock. Many prominent Kilmarnock people were his friends, and several of his poems feature local people and settings.

Alexander Fleming was born just outside Darvel and went on to identify penicillin. Andrew Fisher of Crosshouse became the Prime Minister of Australia. Lady Flora Hastings of Loudoun was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria. Johnnie Walker marketed his 'Walker's Kilmarnock Whisky' which then became 'Johnnie Walker's'. Bill Shankly, the successful football manager, came from the village of Glenbuck. James Keir Hardie, founder of the Labour Party, lived in Cumnock for most of his life, and essayist James Boswell, friend of Dr. Samuel Johnson, lived in Auchinleck for many years.