@^abVgcdX`A^k^c\ 6 H E : 8 > 6 A E A 6 8 : I D A > K : ! L D G @ ! A : 6 G C 6 C 9 : C ? D N ilZcineaVXZhndj]VkZid`cdlVWdji ^c@^abVgcdX`VcY:Vhi6ngh]^gZ The Dean Castle and Country Park, Kilmarnock River Ayr Way, from Glenbuck A phenomenal medieval experience. The Dean Castle is a A unique opportunity for walkers to experience the most glorious wonderfully well-preserved keep and surrounding buildings set in Ayrshire countryside on Scotland’s first source to sea walk. Starting beautifully manicured gardens and Country Park extending to more at Glenbuck, the birthplace of legendary football manager Bill than 480 acres. Shankley, the path travels 44 miles to the sea at Ayr. The Historic Old Town, Kilmarnock Burns House Museum, Mauchline Narrow lanes and unique little boutique shops. There are plenty of Situated in the heart of picturesque Mauchline, the museum was supermarkets and big stores elsewhere in Kilmarnock, but check the first marital home of Robert Burns and Jean Armour. As well as out Bank Street for something really different. being devoted to the life of Scotland’s national poet, the museum The Palace Theatre and Grand Hall, Kilmarnock has exhibits on the village’s other claims to fame – curling stones The creative hub of East Ayrshire. This is where everything from and Mauchline Box Ware. opera companies to pantomimes come to perform. And the hall is a great venue for private events. Kay Park, Kilmarnock Soon to be home to the Burns Monument Centre, this is one of Rugby Park, Kilmarnock the best of Kilmarnock’s public parks. With dramatic views over Home of the famous Ayrshire Killie: a team that down the years has the town, Kay Park is the site of Scotland’s biggest Bonfire Night wowed football fans across Scotland and Europe. The club and the firework displays outside Glasgow. Council have excellent outreach events for local youngsters. Dumfries House, Cumnock Loch Doon, by Dalmellington Prince Charles led a £45 million consortium that A stunning freshwater loch situated at the very bought this fine stately home for the nation. south of the local authority area. It presents The house is one of the finest examples of a magnificent backdrop for walks up East Adam architecture, and boasts a world- Ayrshire’s hills. class collection of Chippendale furniture. Rowallan Castle Golf Club, Kilmaurs His Royal Highness intends building an The historic estate boasts two fine “eco village” nearby. castles, one of which will soon be a five star hotel sitting alongside Colin Baird Institute, Cumnock Montgomerie’s first UK golf course. This excellent history centre and museum has an important collection Loudoun Castle Theme Park, of local arts and crafts, and significant Galston photographs and artefacts charting Scotland’s best theme park offers the mining industry of Cumnock and the great days out for mums, dads, kids and surrounding area. grandparents alike. Whether you like big dippers, waltzers or candy floss, you’ll find Doon Valley Museum, Dalmellington fun here. The exhibitions and permanent displays illustrate the social and industrial history of the Doon Valley, Caprington and Annanhill Golf Courses, Kilmarnock Municipal golf courses that present a challenge to seasoned focusing heavily on mining and how the industry has affected golfers, but offer great fairways for those who are less able. Pretty the local communities down the years. places for an afternoon round. Muirkirk The Galleon Centre, Kilmarnock This mining village had a major role in the history of the Whether it’s swimming, skating, indoor bowling or the gym, the Covenanters and played a huge part in industrial innovation. “Tar Galleon is the place to take physical exercise on the odd day when McAdam” pioneered road surfacing here, and it was the first town the sun doesn’t shine on Kilmarnock. in Britain to have gas lighting. Enjoy the self-guided tour assisted by audio commentary. Loudoun Hill, near Darvel Steeped in history, Loudoun Hill sits majestically at the top of the The Barony “A” Frame, by Auchinleck Irvine Valley just outside Darvel. A scramble up its steep grassy This “B” listed freestanding mining structure is of national banks is rewarded with wonderful views over Ayrshire to the Firth of importance as it is the last structure of its kind in the UK. A mining Clyde, Arran and Ailsa Craig. heritage trail opens here in Autumn 2007. Dick Institute, Kilmarnock This Kilmarnock icon has just had a facelift. With its imposing Craigengillan Estate, Dalmellington blonde sandstone façade this is one of the finest public buildings Set in the rolling Southern Uplands, Craigengillan is a captivating in Scotland, boasting junior, adult, audio and reference library landscape with a fascinating history with its founding family the services, two art galleries and three museum galleries displaying famous road builders the McAdams. New owner Mark Gibson has fine art, contemporary art and craft, natural sciences and local and lovingly restored miles of pathways with the help of local volunteers, industrial history. and positively encourages public access. Loudoun Castle Theme Park Dick Institute co eaVXZ The Palace Theatre BY STEPHEN KHAN WELCOME to Kilmarnock. You may connections with Robert Burns, whose first works were published here, will be set in stone forever with the development of a fantastic have just arrived for the first time. new Burns Monument Centre dedicated to the memory of the Or perhaps you are a frequent visitor. national Bard. And there are a host of plans to further develop the Either way, there are probably lots of town centre, shopping and leisure facilities. Of course, life isn’t always about taking time out, and anyone things you have yet to discover about thinking of living in a new place wants to know what facilities there this historic town and the surrounding are in terms of health, education and social services. East Ayrshire area. Kilmarnock has a long, proud tradition of providing the very best of the National Health Service. The latest example of this is Have you sampled the secrets of Dean Castle Country Park and the maternity wing of the excellent Crosshouse Hospital. But health Loudoun Castle Theme Park? Are you aware of the strong links to services do not just stop there and a number of local centres are Robert Burns? currently being rolled out that provide a whole raft of facilities. What about the multitude of things to do at weekends? And I’ll With four secondary schools, the town has excellent educational bet you didn’t know that there are loads of great places to shop capacity. Eight brand new schools and acadamies will be open by and eat. There is also the fabulous Dick Institute library and museum, 2008 across Kilmarnock and East Ayrshire. a five minute walk from the Palace Theatre and Grand Hall. So living in Kilmarnock is about convenience; it is about Quite simply, there’s nothing quite like living in Kilmarnock. excellence; and it is about having a good time. Golf courses at You are close to the sea, have access to excellent schools, public Caprington and Annanhill provide a fantastic route into the sport, services, parks and shops. Glasgow Prestwick Airport is 20 minutes but also present a challenge to those who have more experience. away. The city and its other airport are not much further. The The whole area is steeped in the tradition of lawn bowls and there majesty of Arran lies just across the water and, of course, there is are swimming and skating facilities in Kilmarnock. It is also, of golf galore throughout the region. course, home to Premier League football club, the famous Ayrshire Over the next few pages you’ll discover in more detail exactly Killie, which hosts football coaching sessions for youngsters what Kilmarnock has to offer. Scottish writers have tapped away on through the summer. A wander through the ground brings back fond their keyboards to tell you precisely what it is about East Ayrshire childhood memories of matches against top sides as well as fights that they love. for promotion from the lower leagues we once inhabited. Herald restaurant critic Ron MacKenna guides you through the Fortunately, now Killie’s fixtures are very much top flight and my region’s culinary delights; leading journalist Katrina Tweedie takes more recent recollections include excursions to the Continent and a tour of the town’s shops and services and I go on a journey of victory in the Scottish Cup. discovery through the “back garden” of the town where I grew up. The local rugby clubs are also well supported, providing There is also a calendar of events coming up over the next six excellent training facilities for youngsters taking up the sport and months and a guide to the things going on that you just need to fine social facilities for adults cheering them on. know about. East Ayrshire’s a special place to live, work learn and enjoy. But Kilmarnock and East Ayrshire are brilliant places to live. We’re these are just my thoughts and memories of the place. Why don’t pretty sure you’ll agree after having a read and taking a trip around. you come here and create some of your own? And the future promises to be even better. Kilmarnock’s Stephen Khan is former Scotland Editor of The Observer King Street’s shops ]dbZ idlc i^eff_d] Historic Bank Street is just one of the reasons the shop was named the consumers’ ]VkZc favourite retailer of the year in the Scottish Retail Awards. BY KATRINA TWEEDIE Next door, the Dress Exchange is a treasure trove of high quality vintage clothing.