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Kilmarnock is the largest town
in Ayrshire situated seven miles
inland from the coast. The success
of Robert the Bruce and his loyal
supporters at the Battle of
Bannockburn in 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 II 1672.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The earliest parts of the Dean Castle
that can be seen today 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 .
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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.
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.
For enquires or bookings phone 01563
573 355.
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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.
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The 6,000 yard par 69 Annanhill golf
course is situated on the west side of
Kilmarnock off Irvine Road. This is a
fine looking course with many fairways
being lined with trees. Bookings phone
01563 521 644. Website.
On the south side of Kilmarnock is
the Gaprington golf course, another
fine tree-lined course, also
inexpensive for visitors to play
Website.
All
Ayrshire golf courses.
For more information on the history
of Kilmarnock visit the website
www.kilmarnock.com.
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