The Irvine Valley Regeneration Partnership

Irvine Valley Communities

The Irvine Valley encompasses the four main towns of Hurlford & Crookedholm, Galston, Newmilns and Darvel and the hamlets of Crossroads, Sornhill, Moscow and Priestland.

Hurlford & Crookedholm

Hurlford – population 5,400  Crookedholm Population 1,000

The most westerly of the Valley towns, Hurlford was formerly a foundry town and is now a popular residential area.  Recent historical research has shown that Hurlford was part of the Barony of Riccarton, the main base of the Wallaces during William Wallace’s lifetime. The River Irvine, at this point and throughout the Valley, offers good trout and salmon fishing.

Crookedholm, named after the crooked “holm” or meadow through which the River Irvine runs, can be dated back at least 1685.  This was a central meeting place in the whole of Ayrshire for the “Covenanters” at the Reformed Prestbyterian Church.

Galston

Population – 5,200

Galston, “The Historical Heart of Ayrshire” is an ancient town with many historical associations including the Campbells of Loudoun Castle and Cessnock Castle, Loudoun Kirk and Kirkyard, Barr Castle, The Covenanters, John Knox and George Wishart.

Newmilns

Population – 3,400

Newmilns is a historic weavers’ town, with many associations with free thought such as the Covenanters, the 19^th century Anti-Slavery Society and the first translation of the Bible into the Scots language.  It has strong historical associations with the Campbells of Loudoun.  The Browns Institutes in the three main Valley Towns were established through the benevolence of the Browns of Lanfine, and there are also many attractive woodland walks around the Lanfine Estate and the surrounding country roads.  The economy contains the last of the “Nottingham” lace industry factories and there are Mill Shops open to the public which represent good value for money.  There are several cafes and hotel restaurants to cater for all needs.

Darvel

Population – 3,700

Darvel is a residential town with a wide main street which gives it a very spacious vista towards the famous Loudoun Hill landmark.  The main industry is weaving, with lace and Arab head shawls exported all over the world.  Darvel’s great claim to fame is its world famous son, Sir Alexander Fleming, discoverer of penicillin.   He was born in Lochfield Farm, just outside Darvel.

The landward area, like the rest of the Valley, boasts beautiful scenery and wild life walks.  The dominating feature is Loudoun Hill, a mile or so beyond Darvel.   This lone sentinel which wecomes travellers on the A71 from the east, is a volcanic plug created millions of years ago,  In more recent times, a Viking and Roman settlement was uncovered when Tilcon (now Tarmac) were extracting sand at the sand quarries.  Various artefacts can be seen in the Dick Institute Museum in Kilmarnock.  Loudoun Hill was also the scene of many battles in the name of Scotland’s freedom with William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and the Covenanters.  Now in more peaceful times, an easy climb to the top offers a panoramic view over Ayrshire and Lanarkshire.  Probably that is why it was such a popular battle site!   The rock face now provides a challenge even to the most accomplished of climbers.

Crossroads

Population - 100

This little hamlet lies, appropriately, at the junction of the A76 and the A719.  The main economy is farming and it also boasts one of the few remaining country schools.

Sornhill

Sornhill is situated on the B7037 Galston-Sorn road, and is a residential hamlet in the midst of the Ayrshire countryside.   The local activity is mainly farming, but this unassuming landscape offers some spectacular views over Ayrshire and Galloway, Ben Lomond, Kintyre and the Islands of Arran, Jura and Ailsa Craig.

Moscow

Population – 300

Moscow is set in rolling farmland and its unusual name may raise an eyebrow, especially when you learn that the river is called the Volga.  Perhaps the locals may be persuaded to tell you the story!  Moscow in Ayrshire is similar to Sornhill and offers scenic views of Ayrshire and the surrounding hills.

Priestland

Population –100

Priestland is a quiet residential hamlet situated at the top of the Irvine Valley, one mile beyond Darvel.   It traditionally belongs in the parish of Galston, but is generally known as an extension of Darvel.

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