Tourism

HISTORY & HERITAGE

General History

Halloween Peculiarity

Remains such as the Dagon Stone in Hastings Square, Darvel, and Loanfoot Cairn in the hills above Darvel are evidence of prehistoric occupation of East Ayrshire.

The first permanent settlements probably date from the expansion of Christianity after St Ninian established his church at Whithorn near the Solway Coast in 397. Many towns throughout Ayrshire have the prefix 'Kil' which has been interpreted as the Celtic for 'cell' or 'church'. Local tradition holds that the name Kilmarnock derives from the missionary St Marnock and Kilmaurs may be associated with St Maurs.

There are many towers and castles dating from the 13th to 15th centuries, when the barons were at the height of their military and political powers. Many were decisively involved in national affairs, in particular resistance to Edward 1's advances on Scotland. William Wallace had many connections with the local area. These include his family's castle at Riccarton (now part of Kilmarnock) and his ambush of an English convoy at Loudoun Hill in 1297. Legends also associate him with local sites such as Lockhart's Tower, Galston (which was largely rebuilt later in the middle ages and is now referred to as Barr Castle), from which he is said to have made a daring escape, and Mauchline Muir where he gathered his men before the ambush at Loudoun Hill. Robert 1 (the Bruce) was also active in the area, and in 1307 won a battle against Edward 1's forces at Loudoun Hill. Wallace and Bruce Page.

During the mid-to-late 17th century the Covenanters were particularly active in this part of Scotland, promoting the National Covenant, a backlash against the enforcement of particular forms of religious observance by James II and then Charles II. As the king attempted to enforce his requirements, "deceit, treachery, arrogance, atrocities, courage, faith, devotion, loyalty and derring-do were all there." Many Covenanters died for their beliefs. There are many sites and monuments in East Ayrshire, particularly at Fenwick Kirk Yard, the Laigh Kirk [Kilmarnock], Galston Kirk Yard, Loudoun Old Parish Kirk near Galston, Newmilns Keep and Kirkyard, Threepwood near Galston, Lochgoyne farm on the moors above Fenwick, Priesthill farm near Muirkirk, Mauchline, Sorn, Cumnock and Airdsmoss near Cumnock. Mauchline was the site of the Battle of Mauchline Muir in 1648 between Covenanters and Royalists. A Covenanters Memorial in the town's Loan Green commemorates five martyrs hanged there in 1685. 'Covenanter stones' commemorating many deaths and summary executions, recounted in inscriptions which do not mince their words, can be seen throughout the area.

The 16th and 17th centuries saw the establishment of 'Burghs of Barony' and many towns received Charters - Newmilns in 1491, Auchinleck in 1507, Cumnock in 1509, Kilmarnock in 1592, Riccarton in 1638. Many towns flourished and prospered after the granting of their Charters, with lively trade in agriculture, livestock and textiles. By the 18th century textile production dominated industrial expansion. Muslin, cotton, blankets, carpets and woollen goods were produced in Kilmarnock, while Stewarton was famous for its bonnets. The Irvine Valley was renowned for its specialised lace industry.

Robert Burns had many associations with East Ayrshire. His most important creative period, both in terms of writing the poems and meeting the people who influenced him or were immortalised in his work, was spent at Mauchline. He farmed at Mossgiel just outside Mauchline and lived in the town with Jean Armour. The first printed edition of his poems, also known as the 'Kilmarnock Edition' was printed at a site in Kilmarnock town centre now commemorated by a statue of Burns and the printer. Many prominent Kilmarnock people were his friends and several of his poems feature local people and settings. Robert Burns Page.

Another famous writer, diarist and biographer James Boswell, was brought up at Auchinleck House near Auchlinleck. James Boswell Page.

The 18th and 19th centuries saw East Ayrshire becoming one of the industrial powerhouses of the growing British Empire. In addition to a textile industry of world significance in the Irvine Valley, coal mining was important across the area. Iron making developed at Dunaskin in the Doon Valley and important industry also grew in many parts of East Ayrshire, such as the making of railway rolling stock in Kilmarnock which was exported across the world. The world's oldest railway viaduct was built at Laigh Milton, Gatehead near Kilmarnock.

Johnnie Walker marketed his 'Walker's Kilmarnock Whisky' in the town, which became 'Johnnie Walker's'. A statue in the town centre near the Laigh Kirk commemorates him.

Andrew Fisher, who spent his early years as a miner at Crosshouse went on to become Prime Minister of Australia.

James Keir Hardie, founder of the Labour Party, lived in Cumnock for much of his life, and is commemorated by a portrait bust outside Cumnock Town Hall.

Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of pennicillin was born at a farm near Darvel and received his basic education in Darvel and at Kilmarnock Academy. He is commemorated by a portrait bust at Hastings Square, Darvel.

Bill Shankly, the famous football manager, came from the village of Glenbuck.