Tourism

THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN THE KILMARNOCK AREA

Kilmarnock is the largest town in East Ayrshire and its main centre for shopping. It is conveniently located in attractive countryside, close to the Clyde coast and within easy reach of Glasgow.

Recent town centre environmental improvements received a national award. At The Cross in the town centre is a statue of Robert Burns and the printer, John Wilson, commemorating the publication of the first edition of Burns' poems close to that site in 1786. See Robert Burns

Nearby are John Finnie Street, one of the finest Victorian streets to be seen in Scotland, and the old Laigh Kirk, where Edgar Allan Poe is thought to have been set to copying inscriptions from gravestones as part of his schooling. See Literature

One of the most internationally famous names in the world started his business in Kilmarnock - Johnnie Walker marketed his 'Walker's Kilmarnock Whisky' which then became 'Johnnie Walker's'. He is commemorated by a statue close to the Laigh Kirk in the town centre.

The town has a full range of facilities, of which those likely to be of interest to the visitor are mentioned below.

Dean Castle & Country Park

• a medieval castle and palace
  
• a collection of Robert Burns' handwritten manuscripts as well as the first edition of his work, published in Kilmarnock
  
• one of the most important collections of early stringed musical instruments in Europe
  
• a collection of arms and armour, including some rare items
  
• a collection of tapestries
  
• a country park
  
• rare breeds centre
  
• pets' corner
  
• visitor centre
  
• conference facilities

See Dean Castle
See Museums & Arts
See Outdoor Activities

Dick Institute

• a changing programme of art and craft exhibitions
  
• parts of the art collection on permanent display
  
• local heritage collections
  
• reference library
  
• craft shop

See Museums & Arts

The Palace Theatre and Grand Hall complex is located in Kilmarnock town centre. The Theatre hosts a programme of entertainments to suit all tastes and the adjoining Grand Hall contains several substantial spaces suitable for a wide range of activities.
See Palace Theatre

The Galleon Centre is a fully equipped sports facility with swimming pool, skating/curling rink, fitness room, indoor bowls etc.

A network of in-town cycle routes provide the central link in the chain of a cycle route across Ayrshire. To the west there is a link to the Firth of Clyde and the Millennium Cycle Route. To the east there is direct access to the paths and cycleways network of the Irvine Valley, leading to Loudoun Hill and thence to Lanarkshire.

See also Conference facilities,

Just outside Kilmarnock lies the village of Gatehead, close to which is Laigh Milton Viaduct, the oldest railway viaduct in the world. The viaduct was recently renovated and is accessible to the public.

Also just outside Kilmarnock lies the village of Crosshouse, birthplace of one of Australia's most famous Prime Ministers, Andrew Fisher, who worked in the local coal mines before emigrating to Australia.