Tour of Kilmarnock

Kilmarnock is the largest town in Ayrshire situated seven miles east of the sea. The success of Robert the Bruce and his loyal supporters at the Battle of Bannockburn 1314 saw the lands of Kilmarnock awarded to his most faithful clans. The Boyd’s built Dean Castle to the north of Kilmarnock, Craufurd’s built Craufurdland Castle to the northeast, Cunningham’s built castles to the north at Kilmaurs and south at Caprington and the Mure’s built Rowallan Castle to the northwest. Estates formed or expanded at that time allowed the town to grow rapidly as they employed many workers to cultivate the land for growing crops, vegetables and fruit.

Kilmarnock became known for Scottish bonnet making from 1647 and later for carpet manufacturing, some of which were laid in the finest homes throughout the world. The town was created a Royal Burgh by Charles 11 1672.

Kilmarnock’s main shopping area as seen right is King Street in the town centre. This pedestrian only street leads to Forgate Square. The clown is wondering what the spacemen are up to.

Forgate Square with a statue of Robert Burns is at the centre of Kilmarnock’s shopping area. The bus station and London Road are to the right of this picture and the train station straight ahead.

To the left of the square is Sandbed Street with the Laigh West High Kirk being the most prominent building. There are at least eight churches around the centre of Kilmarnock varying in age and architecture.

Kilmarnock’s Palace Theatre situated at the corner of London Road and Sturrock Street a short distance from the Forgate Square was completed in 1862. Theatrical entertainment at the theatre consists of classics, children’s shows, and contemporary and classical music.

The Dick Institute as seen right is situated on Elmbank Avenue just off London Road a short walk from the town centre, a few hundred yards past the Palace Theatre. This museum and art gallery that opened in April 1901 host’s collections showing local industrial, social and natural history. The Institute is open Mon, Tue, Thur and Friday 09.00 – 20.00, Wed and Sat 09.00 – 17.00.

The earliest parts of Dean Castle were built in the1750s for the Boyd’s (Earls of Kilmarnock). Howard de Walden, the last owner, gifted Dean Castle and estate to the people of Kilmarnock in 1975. The estate situated north of Kilmarnock centre off Dean Road is now run as a country park. See Country Parks for more information

The Garage situated on Grange Street near the town centre hosts go carts, ten pin bowling, soft play area, Wimpy and bar & party suite. The ten-pin bowling is situated downstairs just inside the entrance. Prices for the bowling are about £2.25 per game for juniors and £2.75 per game for adults. The go-karts are situated upstairs with a fair sized winding circuit. The karts seem to have bags of power, more than adequate for the circuit. Prices are about £6 for 16 laps or £9 for 32 laps. For enquires or bookings phone 01563 573 355.

The Galleon Centre is situated on Titchfield Street a few hundred yards south of King Street (the town centre). This centre contains a swimming pool, ice rink, bowling hall, 2 sports halls, squash courts, sauna/solarium suite, fitness room, and two bars, one of which overlooks the ice rink. An extensive website for the Galleon giving a full list of fees for each activity is www.galleoncentre.com. Phone enquires can be made at 01563 524 014.

For more information on the history of Kilmarnock visit the website freespace.virgin.net/kilmarnock.org.uk.