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Kilmarnock
Scottish Gaelic: Cill Meàrnaig
Scots: Kilmarnock, Killie
Kilmarnock shown within Scotland
Population	119,290 (2008)
OS grid reference	NS429381
Council area	East Ayrshire
Lieutenancy area	Ayrshire
Constituent country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	KILMARNOCK
Postcode district	KA1-KA3
Dialling code	01563
Police	Strathclyde
Fire	Strathclyde
Ambulance	Scottish
European Parliament	Scotland
UK Parliament	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
Scottish Parliament	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
	Central Scotland
Website: http://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/
List of places: UK • Scotland

Coordinates: 55°36′40″N 4°29′45″W / 55.61106, -4.49571 Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... Image File history File links Mergefrom. ... Kilmarnock is a burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland. ... // Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. ... This article is about the Anglic language of Scotland. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 451 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1154 × 1535 pixel, file size: 661 KB, MIME type: image/png) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Red_pog2. ... This article is about the country. ... The British national grid reference system is a system of geographic grid references commonly used in Great Britain, different from using latitude or longitude. ... For local government purposes, Scotland is divided into 32 areas designated as Council Areas of Scotland which are all governed by unitary authorities designated as Councils which have the option under the Local Government (Gaelic Names) (Scotland) Act 1997 (as chosen by Na h-Eileanan an Iar) of being known... Logo of East Ayrshire Council East Ayrshire (Siorrachd Inbhir Àir an Ear in Gaelic) is one of 32 unitary council regions in Scotland. ... The Lieutenancy areas of Scotland are the areas used for the ceremonial lords-lieutenant, the monarchs representatives, in Scotland. ... Ayrshire (Siorrachd Inbhir Àir in Scottish Gaelic) is a region of south-west Scotland, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. ... // Constituent country is a phrase used, often by official institutions, in contexts in which a historical, currently non-legally officially recognised country makes up a part of a larger entity or grouping. ... This article is about the country. ... This list of sovereign states, alphabetically arranged, gives an overview of states around the world with information on the extent of their sovereignty. ... A post town is a required part of all UK postal addresses. ... UK postal codes are known as postcodes. ... The KA postcode area, also known as the Kilmarnock postcode area[2], is a group of postal districts in East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire and South Ayrshire in Scotland. ... +44 redirects here. ... There are a number of policing agencies in the United Kingdom. ... Strathclyde Police is the police force for the Scottish council areas of Argyll and Bute, City of Glasgow, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire. ... A Fire Appliance belonging to the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service The fire service in the United Kingdom has undergone dramatic changes since the beginning of the 21st century, a process that has been propelled by a devolution of central government powers, new legislation and a change to operational... Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service is the statutory fire and rescue service for the area of Strathclyde, Scotland, it is the largest fire and rescue service in the Scotland, and one of the largest in Europe. ... Two Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-based ambulances of the Scottish Ambulance Service The Scottish Ambulance Service serves all of Scotland and is a special health board funded directly by the health department of the Scottish Executive. ... This is a list of Members of the European Parliament for the United Kingdom in the 2004 to 2009 session, ordered by name. ... Scotland constitutes a single constituency of the European Parliament. ... The United Kingdom House of Commons is made up of Members of Parliament (MPs). ... Kilmarnock and Loudoun is a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ... For the national legislative body up to 1707, see Parliament of Scotland. ... Kilmarnock and Loudoun is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament. ... Central Scotland (Meadhan-Alba in Gaelic) is one of the eight electoral regions of the Scottish Parliament which were created in 1999. ... List of burghs in Scotland List of cities in the United Kingdom Lists of places within Scottish regions List of places in Orkney List of places in Shetland List of places in the Borders region of Scotland List of places in the Central region of Scotland List of places in... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...

Kilmarnock (Scottish Gaelic: Cill Meàrnaig; locally known as Killie) is a large burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 44,170.^[1] It is located roughly between Glasgow and Ayr, and is the largest town in Ayrshire.^[2] The River Irvine runs through its eastern section, and the Kilmarnock Water passes through it, giving rise to the name 'Bank Street'.^[3] // Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. ... A sign in Linlithgow, Scotland. ... Logo of East Ayrshire Council East Ayrshire (Siorrachd Inbhir Àir an Ear in Gaelic) is one of 32 unitary council regions in Scotland. ... This article is about the country. ... For other uses, see Glasgow (disambiguation). ... -1... Ayrshire (Siorrachd Inbhir Àir in Scottish Gaelic) is a region of south-west Scotland, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. ... For the Scottish town of the same name see Irvine, Ayrshire. ... For the Scottish town of the same name see Irvine, Ayrshire. ...

History

The name comes from the Gaelic cill (kirk), and the name of Saint Marnoch or Mernoc who is also remembered in the name of Portmarnock in Ireland, and Inchmarnock. It may come from the three Gaelic elements mo (my) Earn (name of the saint) and the diminutive ag, giving Church of My Little Earn. It is believed by some that the saint founded a church there in 322. There are 12 Church of Scotland congregations in the town, plus other denominations. In 2005, the Reverend David W. Lacy, minister of the town's Henderson Church, was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. // Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. ... Kirk can mean church in general or the Church of Scotland in particular. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: , Irish Grid Reference O238432 Statistics Province: Leinster County: Elevation: sea level Population (2002) 8,376  Portmarnock (Port Mearnóg in Irish) is a suburban village north of the city of Dublin, in the part of traditional County Dublin now governed as County Fingal, Ireland. ... Inchmarnock is an island at the northern end of the Sound of Bute on the west coast of Scotland. ... The Church of Scotland (CofS; Scottish Gaelic: ), known informally by its pre-Union Scots name, The Kirk, is the national church of Scotland. ... The Rt Rev. ... The standard of the Moderator The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is an honorary role, held for 12 months. ...

The core of the early town appears to have lain around what is now the Laigh Kirk (Low Church), although the oldest parts of the current building are no earlier than the 17^th century, extending north and northwest. A comparatively modest settlement until the industrial revolution, Kilmarnock extended considerably from around 1800 onwards. This resulted in formal, planned developments such as King Street, Portland Street, Saint Marnock Street, and latterly John Finnie Street; the latter often suggested as one of the finest Victorian planned streets in Scotland.

Johnie Walker

History of Johnnie Walker

Originally known as Walker's Kilmarnock Whisky, the brand is a legacy left by John ‘Johnnie’ Walker after he started to sell whisky in his grocer’s shop in Ayrshire, Scotland. The brand became popular, but after Walker's death in 1857 it was his son Alexander Walker and grandson Alexander Walker II who were largely responsible for establishing the whisky as a popular brand. Under John Walker, whisky sales represented eight percent of the firm’s income; by the time Alexander was ready to pass on the company to his own sons, that figure had increased to between 90 and 95 percent.^[4] John (Johnnie) Walker (1805 – 1857) was a Scottish grocer, who originated what would become one of the world’s most famous whisky brand names. ... Ayrshire (Siorrachd Inbhir Àir in Scottish Gaelic) is a region of south-west Scotland, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. ... Alexander Walker I born on 1837 He inherited his fathers talent for blending, but brought his own flair and vision to the business too. ... Sir Alexander was the man that developed Red Label™ - and for that alone he deserved his knighthood. ...

Johnie Walker Factory

Prior to 1860 it was illegal to sell blended (malt and grain mixed together) whisky.^[5] During that time John Walker sold a number of whiskys — notably his own Walker’s Kilmarnock. In 1865 John’s son Alexander produced their first blend, Walker’s Old Highland.

Alexander Walker first introduced the iconic square bottle in 1870. The other identifying characteristic of the bottle is the label, which is applied at an angle of 24 degrees.

From 1906–1909 John’s grandsons George and Alexander II expanded the line and introduced the colour names. In 1908, when James Stevenson was the Managing Director, there was a re-branding of sorts. The whisky was renamed from Walker's Kilmarnock Whiskies to Johnnie Walker Whisky. In addition, the slogan, "Born 1820 – Still going Strong!" was created, along with the Striding Man, a figure used in their advertisements for around fifty years. Baron Stevenson was a title created in the Peerage of the United Kingdom on 7 May 1924 for James Stevenson. ...

They dropped Johnnie Walker White during World War I. In 1932, Alexander II added Johnnie Walker Swing to the line. “The Great War ” redirects here. ...

Johnnie Walker continues to be blended in Kilmarnock, with a large plant just north of the town's railway station. The historic bonded warehouses and company offices (now local authority) can still be seen in Strand Street and John Finnie Street.

Dean Castle

The Castle takes its name from ‘The Dean’ or wooded valley, a common place name in Scotland. However, until about 1700 it was called Kilmarnock Castle. Owned originally by the Boyd family, it has strong historical connections with many people and events famous in Scottish history. Robert the Bruce who gave the Boyds these lands; James III of Scotland whose sister married a Boyd; the Covenanters, some of whom were imprisoned here; Bonnie Prince Charlie, whose rebellion was joined by the 4th Earl of Kilmarnock and Robert Burns who was encouraged to publish his poetry by the Earl of Glencairn who owned the Castle at that time. Robert I, King of Scots, usually known as Robert the Bruce (July 11, 1274 – June 7, 1329, reigned 1306 – 1329), was, according to a modern biographer (Geoffrey Barrow), a great hero who lived in a minor country. ... James III of Scotland (1451/ 1452 – June 11, 1488), son of James II and Mary of Gueldres, created Duke of Rothesay at birth, king of Scotland from 1460 to 1488. ... The Covenanters, named after the Solemn League and Covenant, were a party that, originating in the Reformation movement, played an important part in the history of Scotland, and to a lesser extent in that of England, during the 17th century. ... For the U.S. politician, see Charles E. Stuart Bonnie Prince Charlie Charles Edward Louis Philip Casimir Stuart (December 31, 1720 – January 31, 1788), was the exiled claimant to the thrones of Ireland, commonly known as Bonnie Prince Charlie. Charles was the son of James Francis Edward Stuart, the Old... The Jacobite Risings were a series of uprisings, rebellions, and wars in the British Isles occurring between 1688 and 1746. ... For the chain gang fugitive and author from Georgia, see Robert Elliott Burns. ... James Cunningham (1749–1791), 14th Earl of Glencairn, was a Scottish nobleman. ...

Geography

Areas of Kilmarnock include:

• Altonhill.
• Annanhill.
• Barnweill.
• Beansburn.
• Bellfield.
• Bonnyton.
• Caprington.
• Gargieston.
• Grange Estate.
• Fisher Grange.
• Hillhead.
• Howard Grange.
• Loanhead.
• Longpark.
• Kirkstyle.
• New Farm Loch.
• Onthank.
• Riccarton.
• Shortlees.
• Southcraig.
• Townholm.
• Wardneuk.
• Wellpark.

The sprawling New Farm Loch estate to the North West of the town was created in the 1970s to house families from the Glasgow overspill. ... Riccarton is a village and parish in East Ayrshire, Scotland. ...

Economy

Map of Kilmarnock town centre in 1819.

Kilmarnock Cross in 1849.

Kilmarnock's traditional industries were based around textiles and heavy engineering;^{[citation needed]} carpets (manufactured by BMK) from the early 1900s, locomotives (Andrew Barclay and Sons) from 1837 through 1970, and valves (Glenfield and Kennedy) which are still in production. Image File history File links Kilmarnock1819. ... Image File history File links Kilmarnock1819. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 516 pixelsFull resolution‎ (3,200 × 2,064 pixels, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 516 pixelsFull resolution‎ (3,200 × 2,064 pixels, file size: 1. ... For other uses, see Carpet (disambiguation). ... Great Western Railway No. ... A valve is a mechanical device that regulates the flow of fluids (either gases, fluidised solids, slurries or liquids) by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. ...

The carpets manufactured in Kilmarnock were internationally known for their quality and intricacy since the late 1800s.^{[citation needed]} Many locations around the world chose to install BMK carpets. Famously, RMS Titanic was carpeted using carpets manufactured by Stoddard Carpets, the parent company and successor to BMK. Primarily due to a move by the UK market towards laminated and hard-wood flooring, but also partially due to a long decline in the industry in the area as well as cheaper, but noticeably less hard-wearing foreign competition, carpet-making finally ceased in Kilmarnock in early 2005. For other uses, see Titanic (disambiguation). ...

Archibald Finnie and his family lived at Springhill House (now a nursing home) near the Grange Academy. They owned many coal mines, pits and other companies in Springside and other places. John Finnie Street is named after one of the family. Shoes were also a major product for some time, with Saxone having a factory in the town on the site of where the Galleon leisure centre now stands. Grange Academy is THE BEST school in Kilmarnock in Ayrshire in Scotland. ... The village of Springside is in North Ayrshire, Parish of Dreghorn, Scotland. ...

Kilmarnock had one of the earliest tram railways in the world, running to Troon over the (recently restored) Laigh Milton viaduct. The Glasgow and South Western Railway also set up their works here, producing nearly 400 locomotives by the time it was absorbed by the LMS in 1923. Some work continued, but heavy repairs were sent to Saint Rollox. Locomotive repairs finished in 1952, and the works closed in 1959. Nevertheless locomotives are still made by Hunslett-Barclay, as well as the maintenance of existing diesel and electric multiple units. From 1946 tractors were also built in Kilmarnock, with a large Massey-Harris factory present on the outskirts of the town. It later became Massey-Ferguson, before closing in 1978. Laigh Milton viaduct lies near Laigh Milton mill at Gatehead in North Ayrshire, Scotland // The stone viaduct was part of the Kilmarnock and Troon Railway, it has four arches with ashlar facings rounded cutwaters which were extended later to form semi-circular buttresses. ... Glasgow and South Western Railway formed part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway. ... The London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS1) was a British railway company. ... Springburn is an area in the north of Glasgow. ... A Massey Ferguson MF 135. ...

Glenfield and Kennedy still survives albeit with a fraction of its former workforce, which at its height numbered in the thousands. Kilmarnock however is still home to the world famous Johnnie Walker's brand Scotch whisky. On the outskirts of the town is Scotland's first privately run prison, HM Prison Kilmarnock. Johnnie Walker is a brand of Scotch whisky produced in Kilmarnock, Scotland. ... Scotch whisky is whisky made in Scotland. ... Her Majestys Prison Service is the British Executive Agency reporting to the Home Office tasked with managing most of the prisons within England and Wales (Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own Prison Services). ... HM Prison Kilmarnock is a prison in Hurlford near Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, United Kingdom. ...

Regeneration

Portland Street, 2006.

Dean Castle Gatehouse.

The September 11^th memorial plaque at the Dean Castle.

The textile and manufacturing sectors across Scotland suffered significant decline in the postwar period, and in particular from the 1960s, in the face of greater foreign competition. Kilmarnock was no exception, with the closure or significant reduction of many of its traditional large employers: Glenfield and Kennedy, Massey Ferguson, BMK, and Saxone. Although significant attempts have been made to halt this decline and attract new employers, Kilmarnock saw a continuing net loss of jobs in the five years to 2005. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1632x1232, 426 KB) Summary Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Kilmarnock Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1632x1232, 426 KB) Summary Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Kilmarnock Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used...

Although traditionally a main shopping area for most of the surrounding districts, patterns have changed over the last 20 years; traditional centres such as Ayr have been joined by new developments at Braehead and East Kilbride.

This difficult economic climate is most visible in the town centre, the eastern part of which has been extensively redeveloped, with important historic buildings such as King Street Church and the Town Hall being demolished, and Duke Street (the link from Kilmarnock Cross to the Palace Theatre and out to the London Road) built over.

More recently Portland Street, which formed the northerly part of the main shopping area, lay abandoned for many years due to a decline in retail trade and in the face of possible comprehensive redevelopment. The street has now been redeveloped, but has not yet regained its former degree of popularity, with a Gala Bingo and a J.D. Wetherspoons taking up much of one side of the street and the rest largely occupied by chain stores.

In 2004, the Rough Guide to Scotland described the town as "shabby and depressed, saddled with some terrible shopping centres and a grim one-way system".^{[citation needed]} The town, however, contains several parks such as Howard Park, Dean Park, and Kay Park, and residential areas including London Road, Dundonald Road, McLelland Drive, and Howard Park Drive. The town also boasts a collection of gift shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants within the very desirable Bank Street area, whilst offering retail options within its retail parks at Queen's Drive and Glencairn Square.

According to the local press in November 2007, the new SNP council have drawn up a Top Ten Hit List on 'eyesore' buildings in the town, and their owners and have revealed plans to crack down hard on property owners who have left their buildings fall into disrepair. A plan of action is being carried out to get something done with each of these sites. Many of the buildings in disrepair are irreplaceable listed buildings such as the former ABC cinema (previously the King's Theatre) on Titchfield Street.^{[citation needed]}

Dean Castle Palace.

A four-star hotel recently opened next to Rugby Park, the home of Kilmarnock F.C., and new restaurants, such as Merchants and the award winning Jefferson Restaurant have opened in the town centre. Rugby Park is a football stadium situated in the Scottish town of Kilmarnock. ... Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. ...

Regeneration activities have been discussed for Kilmarnock town centre; in early 2006, an application to Historic Scotland's Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme was successful, and as of July 2006 an application under the Heritage Lottery Fund's Townscape Heritage Initiative Scheme was pending. Work has pretty much finished on a quality housing development on the gapsite of the former Kilmarnock Infirmary north of the town centre.^{[citation needed]}

In the past there have been major efforts to improve the quality of life for residents in the town's worst housing estates, especially in parts of Shortlees, Longpark and Onthank. Though the physical rehabilitation of housing in these areas has partly tackled the underlying problems of social exclusion, Onthank is arguably that most successful area of regeneration in question.^{[citation needed]}

Much new quality housing has been constructed on the northern fringes of the town, in order to service the demand for commuter housing. With a journey time of 20 minutes from Kilmarnock to Glasgow (roughly half that of the existing train service), the M77 has transformed the link between Glasgow and Kilmarnock. The upgrading of the A77 route to Glasgow to the M77 motorway in 2005 has made Kilmarnock more accessible for commuters, and recent house price increases have reflected this.^[6] The M77 motorway is a motorway in Scotland. ...

Landmarks

• Johnnie Walker; burial place at the kirk yard of Saint Andrew's Glencairn Church.
• The Dick Institute.
• Kilmarnock War Memorial; Elmbank Avenue (1926-1927), B-listed, architect James Miller.^[7]
• Dean Castle; the original keep dates from around 1350, and the palace from around 1460.^[8]
• Burns Monument; from 1879.
• Dean Park.
• Kay Park; the 30 acre park was purchased, laid out, and gifted to the town by Alexander Kay. It opened in 1879 and is the home of the Burns Monument.^[9]
• Howard Park Kilmarnock; previously 'Barbadoes Green', to where the roots of Kilmarnock Football Club can be traced back.^[10] "Lady's Walk in Howard Park commemorates the grief-stricken walks taken by the young widow of The Earl of Kilmarnock who was sentenced to be hung, drawn and quartered in London in 1746, later commuted to beheading. His widow sadly died a year after his execution.^[11]
• Kilmarnock railway viaduct; built between 1843 and 1850.
• Kilmarnock railway station; from 1846.
• The Laigh Kirk and Kirkyard.
• Sandbed Street Bridge; circa 1762; the oldest surviving bridge in Kilmarnock.^[12]
• Palace Theatre; the imposing Corn Exchange, whose red-sandstone Italianate tower, by James Ingram, dominates the cross at London Road and Green Street, was opened on 16 September 1863 as a multi-use concert hall.^[13]
• Kings Hotel.
• George Hotel.
• Bank Street.
• John Finnie Street; from 1864.
• King Street; from 1804.
• Clydesdale Bank; from 1975.
• Kilmarnock Cross.

Johnnie Walker is a brand of Scotch whisky produced in Kilmarnock, Scotland. ... For other persons named James Miller, see James Miller (disambiguation). ... Dean Castle is situated in the Dean Castle Country Park in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland. ... Kilmarnock railway station is a railway station in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland. ... Bank Street near the intersection with Laurier Avenue in downtown Ottawa Bank Street is the major north-south road in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. ... The Clydesdale Bank PLC (Scottish Gaelic: ) is a commercial bank in the United Kingdom, a subsidiary of the nab Group. ...

Transport

View from Kilmarnock railway station onto John Finnie Street.

The Kilmarnock railway viaduct.

The partial 'suspension' bridge over the Dean Ford, at the Kilmarnock Water.

In 1812, the famous Kilmarnock and Troon Railway opened, mainly to carry coal from the area to the harbour at Troon, but also carrying passengers. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1024x768, 115 KB) Summary Summary Description: View from Kilmarnock train station onto John Finnie Street. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1024x768, 115 KB) Summary Summary Description: View from Kilmarnock train station onto John Finnie Street. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 599 pixelsFull resolution‎ (2,288 × 1,712 pixels, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 599 pixelsFull resolution‎ (2,288 × 1,712 pixels, file size: 1. ... The Kilmarnock and Troon Railway was the first railway line in Scotland and ran services between Kilmarnock and Troon. ...

In 1904, Kilmarnock had its own tramway system built. The name of the company was Kilmarnock Corporation Tramways. An electric power station was built in the south bank of the River Irvine at Riccarton. Overhead power lines and tram lines were laid. With continued upgrading and expansion, the tram network at its peak went from Ayr Road in Riccarton at its southerly point, to Knockinlaw Road in Beansburn in the North. At Kilmarnock Cross, the line had an easterly spur that stretched along London Road, through Crookedholm and finally terminating at Hurlford. There had been proposed extensions along Portland Road, up John Finnie Street, West Langlands Street and eventually towards Crosshouse, but by this time, increasing costs and the far more flexible motor bus had made inroads and the trams ceased operation in 1926 during the General Strike. The council decided not to restart the service and the infrastructure was soon dismantled. Today the town is served by Kilmarnock railway station. Hurlford is a village in East Ayrshire, Scotland. ... The Subsidised Mineowner - Poor Beggar! from the Trade Union Unity Magazine (1925) Foraging for coal in the strike Tyldesley miners outside the Miners Hall during the strike The UK General Strike of 1926 lasted nine days, from 3 May 1926 to 12 May 1926, and was called by the General... Kilmarnock railway station is a railway station in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland. ...

Kilmarnock has excellent road links to Glasgow, with the most recent via the M77. The latest upgrade was instigated in 2004, and involved extending the M77 a further 9 miles (15 km) south to the village of Fenwick, near Kilmarnock. This replaced the dangerous 4-lane unsegregated dual carriageway of the A77 that dropped to a two lane single carriageway for the bend just north of the Mearnskirk turn-off, and the A77/B764 (Eaglesham) junction (causing vehicles to queue dangerously on the outside lane on a bend to enter the B764 from the south) which were prone to fatal accidents. The scheme also included the Glasgow Southern Orbital (GSO) which bypasses the B764 Eaglesham Moor road to East Kilbride. It was completed in April 2005.^{[citation needed]}

In 2006, Junction 2 was rebuilt in conjunction with the building of the adjacent Silverburn Shopping Centre. The northbound off-ramp and southbound on-ramp are now routed via the access roundabout to the shopping centre.

Much of the original section of the A77 that carried the traffic now accommodated by the M77 has been converted into a two lane single carriageway and a parallel cyclepath.

Kilmarnock lies on the main road between Edinburgh, Livingston, South Lanarkshire, and Ayrshire (Irvine). For other uses, see Edinburgh (disambiguation). ... , Livingston is the fourth post-war new town to be built in Scotland, designated in 1962. ... South Lanarkshire (Siorrachd Lannraig a Deas in Gaelic) is one of 32 unitary council regions in Scotland, covering the southern part of the traditional county of Lanarkshire. ... Ayrshire (Siorrachd Inbhir Àir in Scottish Gaelic) is a region of south-west Scotland, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. ...

Education

Kilmarnock has 17 schools; 13 primary and four secondary. There is also a college in the town, Kilmarnock College, formerly Kilmarnock Technical College.

The secondary schools are:

• Kilmarnock Academy.
• Saint Joseph's R.C. Academy.
• Grange Academy.
• James Hamilton Academy.

The primary schools are: Kilmarnock Academy is a comprehensive school, one of several in Kilmarnock, a town in western Scotland. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... Grange Academy is THE BEST school in Kilmarnock in Ayrshire in Scotland. ... James Hamilton Academy James Hamilton Academy is a non-denominational, co-educational, comprehensive school which means that it is open to all boys and girls who live in the area which the school serves. ...

• Saint Columba's R.C. Primary.
• Saint Matthews R.C. Primary.
• Mount Carmel R.C. Primary.
• Loanhead Primary.
• Hillhead Primary.
• Kirkstyle Primary.
• Bellfield Primary.
• Shortlees Primary.
• Silverwood Primary.
• New Farm Primary.
• Annanhill Primary.
• Gargieston Primary.
• Onthank Primary.

Sports

The Dean Ford over the Kilmarnock Water at the Dean Country Park.

The town is host to a football club named Kilmarnock F.C., the oldest professional club in Scotland. Their home ground is the curiously named Rugby Park. The reason for the name of the ground is that when founded, the club played both football and rugby. The club has the largest supporter base of any team outwith Scotland's four major cities. Rugby Park was also one of the first football grounds in Scotland to have floodlights installed. In recent years the stadium has been modernised, firstly to bring it in line with the all-seating regulations, then rebuilt totally to make a new ground. It has also hosted international football matches as well as music concerts, the most recent one was when Elton John performed here in June 2005. Derek Olgavie is also a regular appearance in the Palace Theatre. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (2288 × 1712 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (2288 × 1712 pixel, file size: 1. ... Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. ... Rugby Park is a football stadium situated in the Scottish town of Kilmarnock. ... Sir Elton Hercules[1] John CBE[2] (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947) is a five-time Grammy and one-time Academy Award-winning English pop/rock singer, composer and pianist. ...

The town also regularly plays host to professional wrestling shows, promoted by the British Championship Wrestling promotion.

There are two golf courses in the town, Annanhill Golf Course and Caprington Golf Course, which has both an 18 hole course and a nine hole course. Both these courses are council owned and run by East Ayrshire Council. Logo of East Ayrshire Council East Ayrshire (Siorrachd Inbhir Àir an Ear in Gaelic) is one of 32 unitary council regions in Scotland. ...

The local leisure complexes include the Galleon Centre: with a 25 metre swimming pool, baby pool, ice rink, squash courts, sauna, gym, games hall, bar area, bowling green and the New Northwest Centre (formerly the Hunter Centre) which contains an up-to-date community gym and various local medical facilities.

A leisurely stroll around the town will reveal many fine buildings. Kilmarnock boasts a large number of listed buildings. The Dick Institute, opened in April 1901, was severely damaged by fire only eight years after it opened. Some of the museums collections were lost in the fire. It reopened two years after the fire in 1911. The Dick Institute was used as an Auxiliary Hospital in 1917 during World War One.It is now shared by the Arts and Museums Service, and the Libraries, Registration and Information Service. The two Art Galleries and three Museum Galleries house permanent and temporary displays of Fine Art, Contemporary Art and Craft, Local and Industrial History and Natural Sciences. The Lending Library, Audio Library, Junior Library, Reference Library, and Learning Centre are all housed on the ground floor.

Kilmarnock FC

Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" are the oldest professional club in Scotland. Home matches are played at Rugby Park. They are currently members of the Scottish Premier League and are managed by Jim Jefferies. This article is about the country. ... Soccer redirects here. ... Ayrshire (Siorrachd Inbhir Àir in Scottish Gaelic) is a region of south-west Scotland, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. ... The Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League commonly known as the Scottish Premier League, Premier League or SPL is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top level of the Scottish football league system - above the Scottish Football League. ... Jim Jefferies (born 1950 in Musselburgh, East Lothian) is the Scottish football manager of Kilmarnock F.C.. Also a former player, whose defensive versatility often counted against him in the attacking Hearts team in the 1970s, Jeffries has enjoyed considerably greater success as a manager than during his playing career. ...

History

The club's foundation dates to the very earliest days of organised football in Scotland, when a group of local cricketers looking for a sporting pursuit to occupy them outwith the cricket season formed a football club in 1869. Originally they played rugby rules, but the difficulty in organising fixtures and the growing influence of Queen's Park F.C. soon persuaded them to adopt the association code instead. These origins are reflected to this day by the name of the club's home ground - Rugby Park. This article is about the sport. ... Look up Football in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For other uses, see Rugby (disambiguation). ... Queens Park Football Club is a famous Scottish football team, and is the oldest football club in Scotland[1], founded in 1867. ... Rugby Park is a football stadium situated in the Scottish town of Kilmarnock. ...

Culture

The first collection of work by Scottish poet Robert Burns, Poems, chiefly in the Scottish dialect was published here in 1786. It was published at the current site of the Burn's Mall, dedicated to his work. This edition is known as the Kilmarnock Edition. For the chain gang fugitive and author from Georgia, see Robert Elliott Burns. ...

Two areas of Kilmarnock, Ellerslie and Riccarton, are associated with William Wallace and his father. Claims have been made that this is the true origin of his birthplace, and recently these have been largely substantiated. The claim that Wallace was born in Elderslie near Paisley no longer seems tenable.^{[citation needed]}John Bowring, renowned polyglot and fourth governor of Hong Kong, was Member of Parliament for Kilmarnock in 1835. For other persons named William Wallace, see William Wallace (disambiguation). ... Sir John Bowring Sir John Bowring (Chinese translated name 寶寧 or 包令) (October 17, 1792 - November 23, 1872) was an English political economist, traveller, miscellaneous writer and polyglot, and the 4th Governor of Hong Kong. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Multilingualism#Multilingualism within an individual. ... A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a parliament. ...

In the castle of Kilmarnock, Dean Castle, there is an exhibition of armour and weapons, and the Van Raalte collection of musical instruments

Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club

Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club is to be found on the outskirts of Troon, Ayrshire , on the west coast of Scotland and has been offering the golfer a magnificent links golf challenge for over an hundred years. Formed as Ossington Golf Club in 1887, the first course was at Holmes Farm in Kilmarnock. The Club quickly became Kilmarnock Golf Club. The club moved to Barassie in the 1890s. , Troon is a town in South Ayrshire, Scotland. ... Ayrshire (Siorrachd Inbhir Àir in Scottish Gaelic) is a region of south-west Scotland, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. ... This article is about the country. ... Barassie can refer to: Barassie, South Ayrshire, Scotland Barassie railway station Category: ...

The town of Kilmarnock boasts a proud sporting heritage with some of the oldest football, rugby, cricket and bowling clubs in Scotland and the UK. It is therefore unsurprising that one of the country's most well known clubs originated there. (See Kilmarnock FC ; Kilmarnock RFC) Kilmarnock Football Club, founded in 1869 and nicknamed Killie is the oldest professional football club in Scotland. ... Kilmarnock Rugby Football Club was founded in 1868. ...

The course itself is a Open Championship Final Qualifying venue with a well deserved reputation for some of the best maintained greens in Scotland. The club has undergone considerable changes over the past few years and not only has twenty seven holes with which to test the golfer but also has much improved facilities in the clubhouse and professional's shop. The Champions Belt & The Claret Jug. ...

The additional nine holes are part of the championship course and have added a different dimension to Barassie with a Par of 72 and a Standard Scratch of 74. The course measures at just under 7000 yards and the new holes provide some wonderful challenges perhaps no more so than the par 3 fourth hole or the quirky double dog leg par 5 eighth.

The course is tough, but is typically what Scottish Links golf is about - large undulating greens, deep bunkers and doglegs. The course has generated some excellent publicity in recent years having been host for the British Amateur Championships in June 2001 along with Prestwick Golf Club and played host to the European Youths Championships the previous year. The Open Championship at Royal Troon in 2004 saw Barassie play host to the Junior Open Championship Well known members include Alan Bruce, Jim Milligan and Gordon Sherry who played in successful Walker Cup teams and Alan Reid who was the Scottish Amateur Strokeplay Champion. Milligan was Scottish Amateur Champion in 1988 whilst Sherry was The Amateur Champion in 1995. Alasdair Watt was Scottish Amateur runner up in 1987, losing to one Colin Montgomerie of Royal Troon Golf Club. John Montgomerie won the Scottish Amateur in the 1950s. As well as being Scottish Club Champions, Barassie have also been European Club Champions in the 1990s. Gordon Sherry (born Kilmarnock, April 8, 1974) is a professional golfer from Scotland and former member of the PGA European Tour. ... The Walker Cup is a golf trophy contested biennially in odd numbered years between teams comprising the leading amateur golfers of the United States and Great Britain and Ireland (in political terms the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland). ... Alan Reid (born 7 August 1954) is a politician in Scotland. ... Personal Information Birth June 23, 1963 ) (age 44) Glasgow, Scotland Height 6 ft 1 in (1. ... Royal Troon Golf Club is a golf course located in Ayrshire, Scotland. ...

Kilmarnock Conservative Club

Is a Conservative club based in Kilmarnock and Ayr scotland-1... This article is about the country. ...

Kilmarnock RFC

Kilmarnock Rugby Football Club was founded in 1868. They play in the BT National Leagues of Scottish Rugby. Their ground is at Bellsland, Queens Drive, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Year 1868 (MDCCCLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Ayrshire (Siorrachd Inbhir Àir in Scottish Gaelic) is a region of south-west Scotland, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. ...

One of the oldest Rugby Union clubs in Scotland, Kilmarnock Football Club owes its existence to KRFC as an internal dispute about which football rules to adopt resulted in a breakaway in early 1869 by those more willing to play Association Football. For other uses, see Rugby (disambiguation). ... This article is about the country. ... Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. ...

Interestingly, the town of Kilmarnock also boasts one of Scotland’s oldest cricket clubs, oldest golf clubs (based at Barassie in Troon) and the oldest bowling club in Scotland. Indeed, the rules of lawn bowls in play today are those first implemented in Kilmarnock. Truly a town with a proud sporting heritage.

KRFC’s long history has been one of varied success and interesting stories.

When the Scottish National Leagues were introduced in 1973, Killie were, much to their annoyance, placed in the 3rd Division by the Scottish Rugby Union. This was promptly won that season without loss. The following season saw Killie being runners up in Division 2, gaining promotion to the top league. They remained there until 1981 after which a period of promotion and relegation between the 1st and 2nd Divisions was the norm. Logo of Scottish Rugby Union The Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) is the governing body of rugby union in Scotland. ...

In 1978, Killie achieved their highest league position by finishing 3rd in Division 1. In 1986, Killie were the only team to beat the mighty Hawick as they swept all aside to win yet another Championship.

Since the change in league structure to embrace professionalism, Killie have struggled to hold onto their better players and now languish in Division 2 of the BT National Leagues, effectively the old Division 5. A sad place for a proud and successful club to be.

An interesting tale surrounds the first recorded use of air travel by a club when some players chartered a plane to fly to Jedburgh to fulfil a fixture some 50 years ago. It is also likely that Killie took part in the first floodlit rugby match at Rugby Park, now the home of Kilmarnock FC.

There is also a school of thought that South African team Transvaal, now the Lions, adopted the famous Kilmarnock strip of white top with red hoop as a Kilmarnock member, a Dr Frew, was a driving force behind their formation in 1889.

Kilmarnock had a reputation in the 1960's & 70's of producing top class seven a side teams who won many tournamnets in the west of Scotland. This form was sadly never taken into the Border's Sevens Circuit in the 70's & 80's when Killie were a regular feature in all the most prestigious events.

Players to have played for Scotland whilst at Kilmarnock are Andrew Ross and Bill Cuthbertson. Andrew toured with the British Lions in 1924 while Bill was part of the 1984 Grand Slam winning team. Bill also played for Barbarians FC while at Killie. Other players of note to have played for Killie include; Niven Rose, Hugh McHardy, Ian Blake, Derek Stark, John Robertson, Derek Martin, Brian Gilbert, John McHarg, Gavin Angus, Hugh Hamilton, Stewart Porter, Scott Grant, Hugh Parker, Dougie Smith, David Gray and Iain Coull. First match Hartlepool Rovers 4 - 9 Barbarians (27 December 1890) Largest win Scotland 31 - 74 Barbarians (24 May 2001) Worst defeat Barbarians 0 - 42 Wales (26 May 2004) The original Barbarians The Barbarian Football Club, typically referred to as Barbarians and nicknamed the Baa-Baas, is an invitational rugby union...

Notable people

• Ian Deans; notable Scottish-Canadian NDP politician representing Hamilton, Ontario.
• William and John Sloane; founders of W. & J. Sloane in New York City.
• Margaret McDowall; member of the Scottish swimming team and silver medal winner at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.
• Hugh McIlvanney; sports journalist.
• William McIlvanney; writer, born 1936.^[14]
• Sir John Boyd Orr; biologist, politician and Nobel Peace Prize-winner.
• Robert Dunsmuir; Hudson Bay Company coal miner and then coal baron, richest man in western Canada and builder of Victoria's Craigdarroch Castle; born at Hurlford, southeast of Kilmarnock.
• Scottish Canadian comedian Colin Mochrie (of "Whose Line is it Anyway?" fame) spent the first several years of his life in Kilmarnock (born 1957, emigrated 1964).
• Malcolm Wallace; father of Scotland's hero, William Wallace, was born in Riccarton.
• James Robinson; played William Wallace as a boy in the motion picture Braveheart.
• Malky McCormick; cartoonist.
• Jamie Allan Kerr; master craftsman.
• Lindsay McKenzie; actress.
• Doctor William Findlay (pen name George Umber); author.^[15]

W. & J. Sloane is a retail magazine featuring furniture and household decoration items (rugs, etc), many imported from exotic locations. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... Margaret Gibson McDowall (born 10 January 1936 in Kilmarnock, Scotland)[1], was educated at Kilmarnock Academy and was a member of the Scottish Swimming Team from the age of 14. ... William McIlvanney (born in November 25, 1936¹ in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland, is a writer of crime stories and other novels. ... Sir John Boyd Orr, 1st Baron Boyd-Orr (September 23, 1880 – June 25, 1971) was a Scottish doctor, biologist and politician who received the Nobel Peace Prize for his scientific research into nutrition and his work with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). ... A biologist is a scientist devoted to and producing results in biology through the study of organisms. ... The Politics series Politics Portal This box:      A politician is an individual who is a formally recognized and active member of a government, or a person who influences the way a society is governed through an understanding of political power and group dynamics. ... Lester B. Pearson after accepting the 1957 Nobel Peace Prize The Nobel Peace Prize (Swedish and Norwegian: Nobels fredspris) is the name of one of five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel. ... Robert Dunsmuir (August 31, 1825 – April 12, 1889), was a coal miner, railway developer, industrialist and politician. ... Plaque in front of the castle. ... Wikinews has related news: Comedian Colin Mochrie to host Canadian 5th Grader game show Colin Andrew Mochrie (born November 30, 1957) is a Scottish-Canadian actor and improvisational comedian. ... Whose Line Is It Anyway? (sometimes shortened to Whose Line? or abbreviated as WLIIA?) is a short-form improvisational comedy TV show. ... Malcolm Wallace was the father of Sir William Wallace who was the Guardian of Scotland. ... The place-name of Riccarton may refer to: a parish in Ayrshire, Scotland a locality to the south-west of Edinburgh, Scotland a locality on the Taieri Plains in Otago, New Zealand Riccarton a suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand A long demolished Railway Junction on The Waverley Route in Scotland... James Dale Robinson is a writer of comic books and screenplays, notably of the comic book series Starman. ... For the moshing term Braveheart, see Wall of death (moshing). ... Malky McCormick is Scotlands best known cartoonist and caricaturist. ... Jamie Allan Kerr born 1984, Darvel Scotland. ... A master craftsman (sometimes called only master or grandmaster) was a member of a guild. ... Lindsay is a Scottish actress currently starring in BBC1 childrens show, Raven: The Island. ...

Twin towns

• Alès, France.
• Herstal, Belgium.
• Kulmbach, Germany.
• Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain.
• Sukhumi, Georgia.

Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Not to be confused with Alias. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Belgium_(civil). ... Herstal is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Liège. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany. ... Kulmbach is a town in Bavaria, capital of the district Kulmbach. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Spain. ... Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain, is a country. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Georgia. ... Destroyed shop in Sukhumi Sukhumi (Georgian: , Sokhumi; Abkhaz: , Aqwa; Russian: , Sukhumi) is the capital of Abkhazia, a de facto independent republic, which is internationally recognized as being an autonomous republic within Georgia. ...

References

Notes

2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 128th day of the year (129th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 121st day of the year (122nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 128th day of the year (129th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 128th day of the year (129th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 128th day of the year (129th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 128th day of the year (129th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 128th day of the year (129th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 128th day of the year (129th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 133rd day of the year (134th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Bibliography

• Beattie, Frank (1994) Greetings from Kilmarnock, Ochiltree : R. Stenlake, ISBN 1-87207-441-3
• Beattie, Frank ((2003) Kilmarnock Memories, Sutton Publishing, ISBN 0-7509-3236-8
• Brinkhoff , T. (2007) City Population: Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Scotland, Online statistics [accessed 8 July 2007]
• Malkin, John (1989) Pictorial History of Kilmarnock, Darvel : Alloway, ISBN 0-907526-42-X
• Smellie, Thomas (1898) Sketches of Old Kilmarnock, Section II, limited edition of 250 copies, Kilmarnock : Dunlop & Drennan

is the 189th day of the year (190th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ...

External links

• The History of Kilmarnock by Archibald McKay, 1858
• The Lordship and Barony of Kilmarnock
• Webcams of the town
• Kilmarnock F.C.
• 2001 census key statistics for Kilmarnock