Kilmarnock

The name Kilmarnock comes from the Gaelic cill (cell), and the name of Saint Marnock 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', Ernán (name of the saint) and the diminutive ag, giving Church of My Little Ernán. According to tradition, the saint founded a church there in the 7th century.{{cite book|last1=McKay|first1=Archibald|title=The History of Kilmarnock|publisher=A. M'Kay|date=1858|location=Kilmarnock|page=[https://archive.org/details/historykilmarno00mkagoog/page/n152 1]|url=https://archive.org/details/historykilmarno00mkagoog|quote=st. marnock founded church kilmarnock.|access-date=7 January 2017}} The name Kilmarnock literally means "Marnock's Church".{{cite web |title=Scottish Towns: Here's how Scotland's 11 largest towns got their names – from Paisley to Airdrie |url=https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/scottish-towns-heres-how-scotlands-11-largest-towns-got-their-names-from-paisley-to-airdrie-4072132?page=2 |website=www.scotsman.com |publisher=Scotsman |access-date=13 January 2024}} 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.

{{further|History of Scotland}}

The town's precise origins are largely unclear, however, it is believed that a community was established between the fifth–seventh centuries at the Laigh Kirk Church by a Saint Marnock. The earliest known mention of the town was in the 14th century, with Clan Boyd coming to prominence in the area during that time, building the Keep of the Dean Castle.{{cite book |last1=Pettigrew |first1=David |title=Kilmarnock: Then and Now |date=2012 |publisher=Stenlake Publishing Ltd |isbn=9781840335880 |page=3}} The Romans held a "tentative grip" on the area in and around Kilmarnock, with forts nearby at Loudoun Castle as well as possessing costal harbours around Ayrshire.{{cite book |last1=Beattie |first1=Frank |title=Kilmarnock Through Time |date=2012 |publisher=Amberley Publishing |isbn=9781848684102 |page=4}} Early references to the town are vague in regards to population numbers and the geographical size of the town, however, it is widely believed that at this time, the town was little more than a small cluster of dwellings situated around the Laigh Kirk church.

By the end of the sixteenth century, Kilmarnock had become a burgh of barony, and had a weekly market stall and by the 1600s had grown into a small network of narrow streets, with the population relying on industries such as spinning wool, knitting bonnets and the manufacturing of metal cutlery to make a living. A fire engulfed the town in 1668, following the hunting of Covenanters by government troops.

The core of the early town appears to have lain around what is now the Laigh Kirk, Kilmarnock (Low Church), although the oldest parts of the current building are no earlier than the 17th century, extending north and northwest. In 1668 the town was largely destroyed by an accidental fire.{{cite book|title=Chambers's Encyclopædia, Volume 6|date=1890|location=London|page=429|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=InxRAAAAYAAJ&q=kilmarnock+fire+1668&pg=PA429|access-date=7 January 2017}} About 120 families lost most of their possessions and were forced to live destitute in the fields surrounding the town. These tradespeople had no other way of making a living and had already been driven to the edge of poverty by having troops stationed with them as part of the anti-Covenanter measures. Parish churches throughout Scotland collected money for the relief of these homeless citizens.Chamber, Robert (1885). Domestic Annals of Scotland. Edinburgh : W & R Chambers. p. 316.

File:The cross, Kilmarnock, Scotland-LCCN2002695004.jpg between 1890 and 1900]]

In 1592, King James VI of Scotland granted a charter to Thomas, Lord Boyd, erecting Kilmarnock into a burgh of barony. The charter confirms that the Boyd family to be in possession of the land of Kilmarnock and assures any future line of succession.{{cite web|url=https://www.kilmarnockhistory.co.uk/cm-content/files/Aspects%20of%20Local%20History.pdf|title=KILMARNOCK – A HISTORICAL SURVEY|author=Dr John Strawhorn|website=Kilmarnockhistory.co.uk|access-date=25 June 2022}} At the beginning of the 16th century, Kilmarnock was described as "a large village and of great repair" with nearby Kilmaurs notably larger than Kilmarnock. However, over the course of the next one hundred years, the expansion of Kilmarnock was evident. Its expansion led to Kilmarnock becoming larger than Kilmaurs and becoming Ayrshire's largest inland centre and challenging the supremacy of the royal burghs of Ayr and Irvine. During the 19th century, due to the growing rate of expansion due to the industrial expansion, Kilmarnock's population growth increased significantly from 6,000 in 1800, 21,000 in 1851 and 35,000 by 1901.

In the early nineteenth century, Kilmarnock was developed considerably, with the town improvement committee creating plans to improve the road network around the town as they considered the narrow streets that had been in place at the time to be a hindrance for potential trade and development.{{cite book |last1=Love |first1=Dane |title=A Look Back at Kilmarnock |date=2022 |publisher=CARN Publishing |isbn=9781911043164 |page=6}} Plans for new grid-based streets were developed following the consideration of the town improvement committee which resulted in thoroughfares through King Street, Titchfield Street, John Finnie Street and surrounding roadways. The full planned course of the development were never fully completed, resulting in many of the towns older streets and lanes within the new grid-based developments, including Bank Street, Croft Street and Nelson Street not being redeveloped. The refurbished streets were lined with commercial properties, and John Finnie Street is considered one of the most complete examples of Victorian architecture in Scotland.

File:King Street, Kilmarnock, 1900.png in 1900]]

Although never granted the title of royal burgh, largely due to its geography as an inland settlement with no port to enhance trade at sea, Kilmarnock, as a parliamentary burgh was ranked as equal to other nearby royal burghs such as Ayr and Irvine. Its close proximity to Troon and its harbour helped Kilmarnock's trade and economy and its reputation of a strong and important burgh despite its inland position. Goods such as coal were frequently transported from Kilmarnock to Troon for export, and by 1812 a new railway line between Kilmarnock and Troon was constructed to allow trade to flow from the town much easier. The line opened in 1812, and was the first railway in Scotland to obtain an authorising Act of Parliament; it would soon also become the first railway in Scotland to use a steam locomotive; the first to carry passengers; and the River Irvine bridge, Laigh Milton Viaduct, is the earliest railway viaduct in Scotland. It was a plateway, using L-shaped iron plates as rails, to carry wagons with flangeless wheels. In 1841, when more modern railways had developed throughout the West of Scotland, the line was converted from a plateway to a railway and realigned in places. The line became part of the Glasgow and South Western Railway system. Much of the original route is part of the present-day Kilmarnock to Barassie railway line, although the extremities of the original line have been lost.

When elected county councils were created in 1890 under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889, the burgh of Kilmarnock was deemed capable of running its own affairs and so was excluded from the jurisdiction of Ayrshire County Council.Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889, sections 8 and 105{{cite news |title=Notes on local and current topics |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=30 December 2022 |work=Irvine Herald |date=24 January 1890 |page=4}} Further local government reform in 1930 brought the burgh within the area controlled by Ayrshire County Council, but classed as a large burgh, which allowed the town to continue to run many local services itself.{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government (Scotland) Act 1929|year=1929|chapter=25|access-date=23 December 2022}} Kilmarnock Town Council was based at the Town Hall at 28 King Street, which was built in 1805 and demolished in the 1970s.{{cite web |title=Kilmarnock, King Street, Town Hall |url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/42820/kilmarnock-king-street-town-hall |website=Canmore |publisher=Historic Environment Scotland |access-date=30 December 2022}}

File:Ordnance Survey One-Inch Sheet 22 Kilmarnock, Published 1906.jpg

The growth of Kilmarnock in population and geographical area swallowed up the old separate village communities

of Beansburn, Bonnyton, and Riccarton. This led to such communities and villages around the town losing their identities due to the process of rehousing people who were dispersed to the new housing schemes. These large new housing areas lacked adequate shopping and recreational facilities, and most of them were not within convenient walking distance of the old town centre. Despite the growth in population of Kilmarnock, the town did not grow in terms of proportion, and construction of new building took place mostly on "gap sites", the construction of houses at Robertson Place by the Kilmarnock Building Company, being an exception.

This expansion led to the town becoming a major centre in the west of Scotland. By 1856, Kilmarnock was widely regarded as a key railway location when the Glasgow and South Western Railway re-located their workshops from Cook Street in Glasgow to Bonnyton.{{cite book |last1=Beattie |first1=Frank |title=Kilmarnock Through Time |date=2012 |publisher=Amberley Publishing |isbn=9781848684102 |page=18}} Homes were constructed for the workers of the Glasgow & South Western Railway Company at Bonnyton Square and at other areas in Bonnyton. These houses were later demolished in 1966 and 1967.

File:The Strand Kilmarnock.png Whisky bonds]]

A comparatively modest settlement until the Industrial Revolution, Kilmarnock extended considerably from around 1800 onwards, requiring the opening of King Street, Portland Street, and Wellington Street.{{cite web|last1=Strawhorn|first1=John|title=Kilmarnock: A Historical Survey|url=https://www.kilmarnockhistory.co.uk/cm-content/files/Aspects%20of%20Local%20History.pdf|website=Kilmarnock History|publisher=Kilmarnock District History Group|access-date=7 January 2017}} Added later was John Finnie Street, which is regarded as "one of the finest Victorian planned streets in Scotland."{{cite web|title=Kilmarnock John Finnie Street and Bank Street Conservation Area Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan|url=http://docplayer.net/3570168-East-ayrshire-council-kilmarnock-john-finnie-street-and-bank-street-conservation-area-conservation-area-appraisal-and-management-plan.html|website=Docplayer|publisher=East Ayrhshire Council|access-date=7 January 2017}} The Sandbed Street Bridge is the oldest known surviving bridge in the area.{{cite web|title=Sandbed Street, Sandbed Bridge, Kilmarnock|url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/sc-48782-sandbed-street-sandbed-bridge-#.WHFJBYWcEaE|website=British Listed Buildings|access-date=7 January 2017}}

During the 19th century, the traditional cottage crafts in the town which had been "around for generations", expanded and grew into major industries. A number of Kilmarnock industries established both national and international reputations, such as leather makers who were sought to make items such as belts, saddles and other leather goods. Boots and shoes began to dominate the leather making industry in the town, and by 1837, local shoemakers were making in excess of 2,400 pairs of shoes and boots. In 1840, George Clark's shoe making company, established and based in the town, began exporting shoes to Brazil, using the merchant venture system which was created to allow producers to make use of any spare space on cargo ships. It is widely believed that Clark used cargo ships mostly carrying Kilmarnock whisky exports, and as a result, both Kilmarnock whisky and shoe made products became widely popular in Brazil. The shoe production business continued to grow, and by 1900, Clark's shoe business, Saxone, had a total of 40 shop premises in Brazil.{{cite book |last1=Beattie |first1=Frank |title=Kilmarnock Through Time |date=2012 |publisher=Amberley Publishing Ltd |isbn=9781848684102 |page=35}}

Additionally, Kilmarnock gained a reputation of being a location for quality carpet making, following Charlotte Maria Gardiner, half auntie of the 4th Earl of Kilmarnock, bringing a number of carpet makers from Dalkeith to Kilmarnock. BMK Carpets was founded in Kilmarnock in 1908, quickly earning a reputation for the top carpet manufacturer of choice for major venues. It remained Kilmarnock's main employer until closure in 2005. Glenfield and Kennedy became the largest company of hydraulic engineers in the British Empire. All three companies – BMK Carpets, Saxone Shoes and Glenfield and Kennedy, became widely known and trusted in export markets internationally. Johnnie Walker whisky, established as a grocery shop in 1820, was transformed into a global whisky brand, and is the world's best selling brand of whisky. The Titchfield Street drill hall was completed in 1914.{{cite web|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/234163/kilmarnock-43-titchfield-street-headquarters-4th-battalion-of-scots-fusiliers|title=Kilmarnock, 43 Titchfield Street, Headquarters 4th Battalion Of Scots Fusiliers|work=Canmore|access-date=18 June 2017}}

File:The Kilmarnock Rifles.png to join war efforts, roughly between 1890 and 1902]]

The Kilmarnock War Memorial was constructed in temple style and completed in 1927, becoming dedicated to local men who died "for king and country" during World War I. Following World War II, more plaques were added to the war memorial to commemorate local men who died during World War II, and later, plaques to commemorate those who fought in the Korean War were added.The first post–war housing scheme in Kilmarnock, at Shortlees, was completed by the 1960s, followed by Bellfield by the end of the decade.{{cite book |last1=Beattie |first1=Frank |title=Post-War Kilmarnock |date=2008 |publisher=History Press Ltd |isbn=9780750950381}}

Following the second World War, many of the towns factories and production sites had to be transformed into meeting civil needs, rather than those needs of the military, as had been expected during the war effort. A considerable effort began to construct "homes for heroes" in Kilmarnock following World War II, taking "years, even decades, to complete". New companies opened in Kilmarnock by the late 1940s and early 1950s, such as Glacier Metal Massey–Harris. The first post–war housing scheme in Kilmarnock, at Shortlees, was completed by the 1960s, followed by Bellfield by the end of the decade.

During World War II, a local battalion of the Home Guard was established in the town to protect the area during the war.{{cite book |last1=Love |first1=Dane |title=A Look Back at Kilmarnock |date=2022 |publisher=Carn Publishing |isbn=9781911043164 |page=39}} The Kilmarnock Guard was known as the 4th North Kyle Home Guard, with men from Kilmarnock, Galston, Newmilns, Darvel, Hurlford, Fenwick and Craigie part of the battalion. The battalion was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel D.M. Wilkie, with F. Richmond Paton as second in command, and Major Hugh B. Farrar as adjutant.

Kilmarnock based carpet manufacturing company BMK ceased production of carpets for a time during the second world war to manufacture bomb shells for the war effort. Glenfild & Kennedy, also based in the town, made components for anti-tank guns among other war-related engineering projects, including valves for mulberry harbours. Local mansions around the town were requisitioned, such as Bellfield House, with many becoming operational bases for training Special Air Services personnel. Kilmarnock Swimming Baths were also used for this purpose. The town's prominent cooling towers were painted in camouflage to prevent them being visible to the German Luftwaffe.

The town suffered one air raid attack by the Luftwaffe, which killed four people on 6 May 1943. The Luftwaffe dropped a total of fourteen bombs in a line, from South Dean Farm to Kilmarnock cemetery. A 50 kg bomb landed on a block of four residential houses in the towns Culzean Crescent, killing four residents; Janet MacGeachie, Alice MacGeachie, John Bissett and Dorothy Armour.

File:Wilson Avenue, Kilmarnock - geograph.org.uk - 5078651.jpg

In 1945 an attempt by the Burgh Council of Kilmarnock to cope with increasing traffic was made by removing the statue of Sir James Shaw and re-developing the Cross into a roundabout.{{cite web |title=LONDON ROAD, SIR JAMES SHAW'S STATUE |url=http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB35930 |website=www.historicenvironment.scot |publisher=Historic Environment Scotland |access-date=13 January 2024}} In 1976, a one-way traffic system was introduced around the town centre which is still in use today as of December 2023, however, that same month, it was confirmed that studies were being conducted which would see the town centre converted back to a two way street for traffic.{{cite web |title=Plan revealed to return major Kilmarnock road to pre-1976 design |url=https://www.ayrshire-today.co.uk/news/24002522.plan-revealed-return-major-kilmarnock-road-pre-1976-design/ |website=www.ayrshire-today.co.uk |publisher=Ayrshire Today |access-date=13 January 2024}} Considerable growth of the town occurred in the second half of the 19th century, and following World War I, major efforts began to construct new homes to be "fit for heroes". New residential and commercial streets around the town were created, with large housing schemes being built in the years which followed the end of World War II. The first new housing estate in Kilmarnock following World War II would become Shortlees, followed by the Grange Estate, Bellfield and Onthank during the 1960s. During this period, the priority continued to be on the construction of council housing, however, there was still a demand for houses in the private market, and with that, the construction of the Grange Estate would push the boundary of Kilmarnock's built up area.{{cite book |last1=Beattie |first1=Frank |title=Kilmarnock Through Time |date=2012 |publisher=Amberley Publishing |isbn=9781848684102 |page=22}}

Despite the new housing estates at Shortlees, Bellfield, Grange and Onthank, housing demand continued to be strong, and the construction of additional housing estates continued through the late 1960s and early 1970s. Mass housing construction to create the New Farm Loch estate aimed to meet the increased demands of the towns population by providing additional space for homes as well as vehicles. More land was allocated than in previous house building projects to meet these demands. A 1923 Act of Parliament granted the construction of new homes at Scott Roads Fulton's Lane, Townholm and Landmark. Additional acts of Parliament in 1924 and 1925 allowed the commencement of construction of additional homes at Annanhill, Ayr Road, Bonnyton, Craigie Road, Granger Road, London Road, Longpark, New Mill Road, New Street, Stoneyhill Avenue and Yorke Place. By 1973, an outer-town bypass was formed to take away the heavy through traffic that had been travelling in and throughout the town.{{cite book |last1=Beattie |first1=Frank |title=Kilmarnock Through Time |date=2012 |publisher=Amberley Publishing |isbn=9781848684102 |page=21}} In 1974, the Foregate pedestrianised shopping area was opened, to be followed by a new bus station, a multistorey car park, a civic centre, and a re-shaped central precinct for the town.

File:Shopping Centre, Kilmarnock - geograph.org.uk - 5078240.jpg following regeneration]]

The textile and manufacturing sectors across Scotland suffered significant decline in the post-war 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.

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.

File:Kilmarnock - 1972 - geograph.org.uk - 2883166.jpg

During the late 1960s and into the 1970s, Kilmarnock, predominately the town centre, underwent an extensive programme of regeneration which would see a number of historic structures particularly on King Street demolished to make way for new buildings as part of redevelopment plans. In 1966, the Kilmarnock Town Council appointed Edinburgh based firm Percy Johnson-Marshall to examine ways forward to combat increased traffic and land usage within the town centre. Amongst the plans were the construction of seven multi-storey carparks for shoppers to the town centre, however, only one of these were ever constructed. The multi-storey began being demolished in 2024 following structural concerns.{{cite web |last1=Standard |first1=Kilmarnock |title=Wild 1970s Kilmarnock town centre plans aimed to build seven multi-storeys |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/ayrshire/wild-1970s-kilmarnock-town-centre-26635874 |website=Daily Record |access-date=27 December 2024 |language=en |date=8 April 2022}}

Other plans produced by the firm would see large sections of John Finnie Street, West George Street and several houses on Dundonald Road demolished to accommodate land for the projects. Additionally, the Newton area of the town was proposed to be demolished entirely, with residents to be offered new housing in the New Farm Loch estate which at that time was still be constructed. Such plans never materialised, instead, the town council approved Phase 1 of plans presented by Percy Johnson-Marshall which would see the eastern side and surroundings of both Portland Street and King Street to be demolished to create land for new developments. File:Clydesdale Bank - Kilmarnock - geograph.org.uk - 5987191.jpg, described as "one of the most vibrant and forceful Scottish bank buildings of the post war era"]] Duke Street and Waterloo Street were demolished entirely, after a developer had assessed them both as being "obsolete". The town council purchased properties to demolish through a process of negotiation and ultimately Compulsory Purchase Orders in order to progress with redevelopment plans.

Small and independent private traders were forcibly relocated from both Waterloo Street and Duke Street, with The Foregate, a new shopping area constructed as part of the regeneration plans to relocate such traders. Plans for The Foregate also included a high-rise hotel and a cinema, however, both proposals were later shelved, with the Kilmarnock Centre (now the Burns Shopping Centre) constructed instead. The Foregate was constructed in a style which saw extensive brick-built commercial developments including offices over shops with canted projecting plate-glass windows.{{cite web |title=The Foregate |url=https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/apex/f?p=1505:300:::::VIEWTYPE,VIEWREF:decision,500003806 |website=Historic Environment Scotland |access-date=27 December 2024}}

The Clydesdale Bank building located at the top of The Foregate is considered an "individual brutalist piece of architecture. The building is now occupied by a Virgin Money bank" and has been described as "one of the most vibrant and forceful Scottish bank buildings of the post war era".{{cite web |title=Former Clydesdale Bank, Kilmarnock |url=https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/apex/f?p=1505:300:::::VIEWTYPE,VIEWREF:decision,500003805 |website=Historic Environment Scotland |access-date=27 December 2024}}

Phases 2 and 3 of the regeneration project never materialised as a result of economic strains.

File:East Ayrshire Council Flowerbed and welcome sign.jpg]]

In 1996 the two-tier system of regions and districts was abolished and Ayrshire was divided between the unitary council areas of East Ayrshire (covering the area of the former Kilmarnock & Loudoun District and Cumnock & Doon Valley District), North Ayrshire (covering the area of the former Cunninghame District Council) and South Ayrshire (covering the area of the former Kyle and Carrick District).{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994|year=1994|chapter=39|accessdate=30 December 2022}}

Following this, Kilmarnock now came under East Ayrshire Council which was formed in April 1995 to replace the Kilmarnock and Loudoun and Cumnock and Doon Valley District Councils, and the part of Strathclyde Regional Council which related to the area.{{cite web | url=https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/CouncilAndGovernment/About-the-Council/Councillors-and-Provost/ProvostLordProvost-GeneralInformation/EastAyrshireCoatofArms.aspx | title=East Ayrshire Coat of Arms · East Ayrshire Council }} The newly formed East Ayrshire Council were granted responsibility for areas such as education, social work, leisure and planning, among other services, for Kilmarnock and the wider East Ayrshire geographical area.

Kilmarnock became the administrative centre for the newly formed East Ayrshire Council, with the council purchasing the former James Hamilton Academy building on London Road for £1. The building was refurbished and has since been the meeting place for elected councillors, the cabinet of East Ayrshire Council and is the main seat for the Chief Executive of East Ayrshire Council, the provost of East Ayrshire and Depute Provost of East Ayrshire{{cite web | url=https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/38892131/east-ayrshire-council-a-proposal-document | title=East Ayrshire Council a Proposal Document }}

File:The Palace Theatre - Kilmarnock (geograph 6103531).jpg is set to undergo £20 million investment between 2023 and 2025]]

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".{{cite book|last1=McKie|first1=Iain|last2=Russell|first2=Michael|title=Shirley McKie: The Price of Innocence|date=2007|publisher=Berlinn|page=5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aQMIAQAAMAAJ&q=rough+guide+to+scotland+%22shabby+and+depressed,+saddled+with+some+terrible+shopping+centres+and+a+grim+one-way+system%22.%5B|access-date=7 January 2017|isbn=9781841585758}} In early 2006, an application to Historic Scotland's Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme was successful, and in July 2006 an application under the Heritage Lottery Fund's Townscape Heritage Initiative Scheme was pending,{{cite web |title=DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE – 2 MAY 2006 CONSERVATION AREA REGENERATION SCHEME (CARS) AND TOWNSCAPE HERITAGE INITIATIVE (THI) FOR JOHN FINNIE STREET & BANK STREET, KILMARNOCK, AND A CARS FOR CATRINE OUTSTANDING CONSERVATION AREAS – UPDATE |url=https://docs.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/crpadmmin/AGENDAS/DEV%20SERV/MAY%202006/Conservation%20Area%20Regeneration%20Scheme%20-%20CARS%20-%20and%20Townscape%20Heritage%20Initiative%20-%20THI.pdf |website=www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk |publisher=East Ayrshire Council |access-date=13 January 2024}} allowing work to be finished on a quality housing development on the site of the former Kilmarnock Infirmary, north of the town centre, which was completed by local property development company The KLIN Group.{{cite web |title=DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE: 08 APRIL 2003 |url=https://docs.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/crpadmmin/agendas/dev%20serv/pl%20april%202003/kilmarnock%20infirmary%20site,%20hill%20street,%20kilmarnock%20-%20klin%20homes%20ltd.pdf |website=DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE: 08 APRIL 2003 |publisher=East Ayrshire Council |access-date=16 September 2023}} With a journey time of 20 minutes from Kilmarnock to Glasgow, the M77 motorway received an extensive upgrade in 2005 to accommodate Kilmarnock's emerging status as a commuter town.{{cite web |title=Kilmarnock Integrated Urban Development Plan |url=https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/Resources/PDF/K/KilmarnockIntegratedUrbanDevelopmentPlan.pdf |website=www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk |publisher=East Ayrshire Council |access-date=13 January 2024}} As a result, new quality housing has been constructed on the northern fringes of the town for commuters to Glasgow and the central belt of Scotland. Recent house price in and around Kilmarnock have reflected the towns location for commuters to the country's largest city.{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/3881237.stm | title = Huge rise in Scots house prices | access-date=1 May 2008 | work=BBC News | date=10 July 2004}}

In 2015, Kilmarnock was named 'Scotland's Most Improved Town' at the Scottish Urban Regeneration Forum awards. The panel recognised the improvements made to the town centre of Kilmarnock due to a £43 million investment, and local authority intervention to restore derelict buildings including the former Johnnie Walker bond building and the Opera House.{{Cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/regions/glasgow-and-strathclyde/kilmarnock-and-barrhead-named-scotlands-most-improved-towns-1487270|title = Kilmarnock and Barrhead named Scotland's most improved towns| date=11 December 2015 }} In April 2018, East Ayrshire Council published a plan to protect and enhance the towns historic and listed buildings. Structures such as the former ABC cinema (previously the King's Theatre) on Titchfield Street has lay derelict since the opening of the Odeon cinema at Queens Drive. Buildings such as this are considered to be irreplaceable listed buildings.{{cite web|title=ABC Cinema (Former), 24, Titchfield Street, Kilmarnock|url=http://www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk/details/902048|website=Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland|access-date=7 January 2017}} East Ayrshire Council has committed to regenerating the town, with buildings such as the former Opera House on John Finnie Street which was destroyed by fire in the late 1980s,{{cite web |title=Pride restored as Kilmarnock Opera House is opened |url=https://www.cumnockchronicle.com/news/13735352.pride-restored-as-kilmarnock-opera-house-is-opened/ |website=www.cumnockchronicle.com |publisher=Cumnock Chronicle |access-date=13 January 2024}} being reconstructed with its original facade retained and is now office space for East Ayrshire Council.{{cite web |title=PRIVATE SECTOR LED: KILMARNOCK OPERA HOUSE |url=https://towntoolkit.scot/case-studies/private-sector-led-kilmarnock-opera-house |website=www.towntoolkit.scot |publisher=Town Toolkit |access-date=13 January 2024}}

The end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century is widely regarded as a "boom period" for housing construction in Kilmarnock. Large numbers of farm land was purchased by housing developers, with an "unprecedented" number of houses being completed, notably at Southcraig, Dunsmuir Park and the Johnnie Walker estate.{{cite book |last1=Beattie |first1=Frank |title=Kilmarnock Through Time |date=2012 |publisher=Amberley Publishing |isbn=9781848684102 |page=23}} The largest house building projects in Kilmarnock were undertaken at Southcraig and Dunsmuir Park.

{{further|Kilmarnock and Loudoun (UK Parliament constituency)|Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley (Scottish Parliament constituency)|East Ayrshire Council}}

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| image1 = Official portrait of Lillian Jones MP crop 2.jpg

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Kilmarnock, as part of the Kilmarnock and Loudoun parliamentary constituency, had long been considered a "safe seat" for the Scottish Labour Party, having been represented by a Labour MP since the establishment of the constituency in 1983.{{cite web |title=Kilmarnock: a barometer for Labour? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2008/sep/21/scotland.polls |website=www.theguardian.com |publisher=The Guardian |access-date=14 January 2024}} However, at the 2015 general election, the seat changed hands from Labour to the Scottish National Party with the election of Alan Brown, at an election which resulted in a landslide victory for the SNP at the expense of Scottish Labour.[http://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/CouncilAndGovernment/PoliticiansElectionsAndDemocracy/MembersOfParliament/MembersofParliament.aspx Members of Parliament – East Ayrshire Council] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823192225/http://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/CouncilAndGovernment/PoliticiansElectionsAndDemocracy/MembersOfParliament/MembersofParliament.aspx |date=23 August 2013 }}. East-ayrshire.gov.uk (19 August 2011). Retrieved on 16 July 2013 Brown defeated Labour candidate Cathy Jamieson with an overwhelming majority with Brown receiving 30,000 votes with Jamieson only receiving 16,363.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/S14000040|title=Kilmarnock & Loudoun|work=bbc.co.uk}} At the 2024 election, Scottish Labour regained the seat from the SNP, the first time they have gained the seat from the SNP since 2015, when Scottish Labour candidate Lillian Jones won the election with 19,055 votes with a majority of 5,119.{{cite web |title=UK Parliamentary General Election: Kilmarnock & Loudoun Constituency Results |url=https://newsroom.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/news/uk-parliamentary-general-election-kilmarnock-loudoun-constituency-results |website=East Ayrshire Council News |access-date=19 July 2024 |date=5 July 2024}}

The member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Kilmarnock is Willie Coffey, having represented the area as the MSP of the Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley constituency since 2007.

Following the 2017 East Ayrshire Council election, the SNP formed a minority government for East Ayrshire, following the result of a hung council.[http://www.kilmarnockstandard.co.uk/ayrshire-news/news-east-ayrshire/kilmarnock-news/2012/05/18/snp-and-tories-form-coalition-81430-30980914/ SNP and Tories form coalition]. Kilmarnock Standard. Retrieved on 16 July 2013. At present, the Scottish Labour party is the opposition in the East Ayrshire parliament with their leader, Maureen McKay alongside the Scottish Conservative Party, independent councillors and one councillor elected from local campaign group party, The Rubbish Party.

Kilmarnock is the administrative centre of East Ayrshire Council, with the council headquarters and debating chamber situated on the London Road.[http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/DG_10012631] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714223152/http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/DG_10012631|date=14 July 2007}} In local council elections, Kilmarnock comprises four wards: Kilmarnock North, Kilmarnock East and Hurlford, Kilmarnock West and Crosshouse, and Kilmarnock South.[http://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/CouncilAndGovernment/PoliticiansElectionsAndDemocracy/ElectionsAndVoting/ElectionResults/ResultsforEastAyrshireCouncilLocalElections.aspx East Ayrshire Council local elections – East Ayrshire Council] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919042002/http://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/CouncilAndGovernment/PoliticiansElectionsAndDemocracy/ElectionsAndVoting/ElectionResults/ResultsforEastAyrshireCouncilLocalElections.aspx |date=19 September 2013 }}. East-ayrshire.gov.uk. Retrieved on 16 July 2013. The current leader of East Ayrshire Council is Councillor Douglas Reid of the SNP, who has been leader since 2007.{{cite web |title=Introducing...Councillor Douglas Reid |url=https://www.livingwellea.co.uk/2023/12/14/introducing-councillor-douglas-reid/ |website=www.livingwellea.co.uk |publisher=Living Well East Ayrshire |access-date=14 January 2024}} The chief executive is Eddie Fraser, who has been Chief Executive since 2020.{{cite web |title=Eddie Fraser appointed as new Chief Executive |url=https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/News/article/eddie-fraser-appointed-as-new-chief-executive |publisher=East Ayrshire Council |access-date=3 November 2023}}

{{further|Demographics of Scotland}}

File:Holmes Park Gardens, Kilmarnock - geograph.org.uk - 3506281.jpg

Kilmarnock is both the largest town in East Ayrshire and its administrative centre, and the largest town in Ayrshire by population. The town had an estimated population of 46,970 residents in 2020,{{cite web |title=Mid-2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland |url=https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2020 |publisher=National Records of Scotland |access-date=11 November 2023}} making it the 14th largest settlement in Scotland.{{cite web |title=Ayrshire Region Overview |url=https://newmunicipalism.ballotbox.scot/ayrshire |publisher=Newmunicipalism |access-date=11 November 2023}}

At Scotland's 2011 census, Kilmarnock had a recorded population of 46,159 inhabitants.{{cite web |title=Census information 2011 |url=https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/webapi/jsf/tableView/tableView.xhtml |publisher=Scottish Government |access-date=11 November 2023}} The census data highlighted that 45,379 were white (with 42,915 identifying as White Scottish), 121 mixed or multiple ethnic groups, 548 Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British, 148 Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Indian, Indian Scottish or Indian British and 204 Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Chinese, Chinese Scottish or Chinese British. Other ethnic groups included Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Bangladeshi, Bangladeshi Scottish or Bangladeshi British and Caribbean or Black: Caribbean, Caribbean Scottish or Caribbean British.{{cite web |title=Census Data 2011 |url=https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/webapi/jsf/tableView/tableView.xhtml |publisher=Scottish Government |access-date=11 November 2023}}

At the 2011 census, 12,143 residents were aged over 16 and had no formal qualifications, while 8,983 residents had at least one qualification in Level 1, with 5,185, 4,044 and 7,339 having a qualification Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4 (or above) respectively.{{cite web |title=All people aged 16 and over Settlement/Locality 2010 by Highest level of qualification by Term-time Address (Indicator) and Age |url=https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/webapi/jsf/tableView/tableView.xhtml |publisher=Scottish Government |access-date=11 November 2023}} There were a total of over 20,000 households in Kilmarnock at the time of the 2011 census, ranging from semi–detached, detached, bungalows, flats and maisonette properties.{{cite web |title=Settlement/Locality 2010 by QS402SC Dwelling breakdown by Abode and Household size |url=https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/webapi/jsf/tableView/tableView.xhtml |publisher=Scottish Government |access-date=11 November 2023}} The 2011 census of Scotland recorded a working population of 34,104 (16–74) in Kilmarnock, with 4,915 recorded part–time employees, 13,504 full–time, 1,978 self–employed, 2,156 un–employed and 1,094 full–time students.{{cite web |title=Settlement/Locality 2010 by Economic activity then Unemployed people aged 16 to 74 then Unemployed people aged 16 to 74, Never worked and long-term unemployed by Term-time Address (Indicator) and Age |url=https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/webapi/jsf/tableView/tableView.xhtml |publisher=Scottish Government |access-date=11 November 2023}}

File:Gulls at Kay Park, Kilmarnock - geograph.org.uk - 5078688.jpg in the centre of the town]]

By the 2021 census, the population of Kilmarnock had increased to 54,235 people, with 48.3% male and 51.7% female. 16.8% lived in the least deprived Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) decile, whilst 33.8% lived in the most deprived.{{cite web |title=Kilmarnock Locality |url=https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/Resources/PDF/K/kilmarnock-locality-profile.pdf |website=east.ayrshire.gov |access-date=21 February 2025}} In 2022, there were a total of 26,303 dwellings in Kilmarnock, an increase from 25,737 in 2014. By 2022, a total of 542 dwellings were unoccupied in the town, compared to 676 in 2014. The most common council tax banding in Kilmarnock was Band A, with 37.7% of properties placed in Tax Band A, whilst Tax Band B was the second most common with 21.7%.

Life expectancy in Kilmarnock is estimated at 74.6 years for males and 79.1 years for females. The life expectancy rate for females is largely in line with both the East Ayrshire and national averages, whilst for males, life expectancy for males in Kilmarnock is slightly below the East Ayrshire average (74.8 years), and two years below the Scottish average for males (76.5 years).

{{further|Economy of Scotland}}

File:Halo building, Kilmarnock, Scotland, October 2024.jpg building on Hill Street]]

The economy of Kilmarnock had historically been centred around heavy manufacturing and goods based services. However, in recent years, and in trend with other towns and cities across Scotland, Kilmarnock's economic dependence has shifted from manufacturing and instead become more reliant on skills-based knowledge. Companies such as Vodafone (Webhelp Call Centre) and Teleperformance occupy a large part of the Rowallan Business Park,{{Cite web|title=Kilmarnock|url=http://teleperformanceukcareers.co.uk/locations/spec-location/?%2FKilmarnock|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022032519/http://teleperformanceukcareers.co.uk/locations/spec-location/?%2FKilmarnock|archive-date=22 October 2017|access-date=19 February 2019|df=dmy-all}} which is also home to Food Partners, a nationwide sandwich franchise.{{Cite web|url=https://food.list.co.uk/place/59171-food-partners-kilmarnock-ltd/|title=Food Partners Kilmarnock Ltd (Rowallan Business Park Southcraig Avenue, Kilmarnock)|website=Food.list.co.uk}} Nowadays, the economy of Kilmarnock is largely based on public service and office work, with local property redevelopment and regeneration company, The KLIN Group occupies the former Andrew Barclay Sons & Co offices in West Langland Street,{{Cite web|title=Klin Homes | Property Development and Investment Company|url=http://klinhomes.co.uk/contact|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411055535/http://klinhomes.co.uk/contact|archive-date=11 April 2017|access-date=10 April 2017|df=dmy-all}} Brodie Engineering operate two production factories for locomotives in the town centre{{Cite web|url=https://www.wabtec.com/business-units/wabtec-rail-scotland|title=Wabtec Rail Scotland | Wabtec Corporation|website=Wabtec.com}} and Utopia Computers also have their headquarters and main site situated in Kilmarnock in High Glencairn Street. Kilmarnock is also home to The HALO Urban Regeneration with a focus on digital learning, inspiration to innovative thinking and providing a conducive environment for spin-out, new-start, scale-ups, digital, manufacturing and cyber businesses. HALO is set to provide £205 million of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to the Economy of Scotland.{{Cite web|url=https://halo-projects.com/halo-scotland/|title=HALO Kilmarnock, Scotland | Urban Renewal Project | HALO Scotland Urban Regeneration|website=Halo-projects.com|access-date=25 June 2022}} The window and door company, Scotia have their main headquarters in Kilmarnock, as well as a manufacturing and production plant.{{cite web| url = https://www.scotiawindowsanddoors.co.uk/contact/| title = Contact {{!}} Scotia Windows And Doors| date = 18 March 2014}}

File:JohnnieWalker2012 (cropped).jpg, Johnnie Walker, was established in the town in 1820, and was produced and bottled at Hill Street until closure of the plant in 2012]]

The internationally best–selling Scotch whisky brand Johnnie Walker was established in Kilmarnock in 1820 by John 'Johnnie' Walker. Originally known as Walker's Kilmarnock Whisky, the brand first started trading from the town in the mid-1800s. The whisky was originally produced, blended and bottled at the Johnnie Walker Bond building, known as "The Bond", in the town centre.{{cite web |title=History of Johnnie Walker and Kilmarnock 1820–2012 |url=https://malted.blog/2017/04/10/history-of-johnnie-walker-and-kilmarnock-1820-2012/ |website=www.malted.blog |publisher=Malted |access-date=14 January 2024}} Operations continued from The Bond until September 1956 when a new, state of the art and sector leading production plant was opened at Hill Street in the town.{{cite web |title=JOHNNIE WALKER THANK YOU HILL STREET I.D. NO: 1352 |url=https://scotchgalore.com/product/johnnie-walker-thank-you-hill-street-i-d-no-1352/ |publisher=Scotch Galore |access-date=14 November 2023}} At the time of opening in 1956, the Hill Street plant was the world's largest bottling plant.{{cite web |title=Johnnie Walker |url=https://www.kilmarnockhistory.co.uk/en/Johnnie-Walker/#:~:text=Sadly%2C%20the%20closure%20of%20the,severed%20all%20links%20with%20Kilmarnock. |publisher=Kilmarnock History Group |access-date=14 November 2023}} In 2009, to much public backlash as well as backlash from the Scottish Government, First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond and local MP and MSP Cathy Jamieson and Willie Coffey, the owner of Johnnie Walker, Diageo, decided to close the bottling plant, originally by the end of 2011, ending the link between the whisky brand and the town.{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/jul/01/johnnie-walker-closure-kilmarnock | location=London | work=The Guardian | title=Johnnie Walker whisky to end 189-year link with Kilmarnock | date=1 July 2009 | access-date=22 February 2010}} In September 2009, Diageo confirmed the plant in Kilmarnock would close, despite local protests.{{cite news |url=http://news.stv.tv/scotland/121733-diageo-confirms-kilmarnock-and-glasgow-plants-will-close/ |title=Diageo confirms Kilmarnock and Glasgow plants will close |publisher=News.stv.tv |date=9 September 2009 |access-date=22 February 2010 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303200310/http://news.stv.tv/scotland/121733-diageo-confirms-kilmarnock-and-glasgow-plants-will-close/ |url-status=dead }} Production of Johnnie Walker in Kilmarnock ceased during March 2012, after 192 years. It is now made at a new Diageo bottling plant in the eastern coast of Scotland in Leven, Fife.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-20371630|title=Bottling plant officially opens|work=BBC News|date=16 November 2012}} Over the years, Kilmarnock has been the home to other well-known companies, Andrew Barclay Sons & Co.,[http://www.srpsmuseum.org.uk/barclay_info.htm Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. history]. Srpsmuseum.org.uk (30 June 2008). Retrieved on 2013-07-16. and Saxone Shoes.[http://futuremuseum.co.uk/Collection.aspx/saxone/] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103043536/http://futuremuseum.co.uk/Collection.aspx/saxone/|date=3 January 2012}} Following the closure of the Hill Street plant, the building was demolished and the site is now home to both the Kilmarnock campus of Ayrshire College and The HALO Urban Regeneration.{{cite web |title=History of Johnnie Walker and Kilmarnock 1820–2012 |url=https://malted.blog/2017/04/10/history-of-johnnie-walker-and-kilmarnock-1820-2012/ |publisher=Malted |access-date=14 November 2023}}

File:Brodie Engineering, Kilmarnock.jpg railway engineering company, specializing in heavy maintenance, refurbishment and overhauls for both passenger and freight trains]]

Kilmarnock's traditional industries were based around textiles and heavy engineering such as locomotives (Andrew Barclay Sons & Co) from 1837, and valves (Glenfield and Kennedy), which are still in production. Glenfield and Kennedy is now trading as Glenfield Valves and still operates a base from Kilmarnock,{{Cite web|url=http://www.glenfield.co.uk./company/|title=Glenfield Valves Limited|website=Glenfield.co.uk.|access-date=21 October 2017|archive-date=21 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021215957/http://www.glenfield.co.uk/company/|url-status=dead}} and Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. is now trading as Brodie Engineering. Blackwood's (often known as Blackwood Brothers) produced woollen garments and yarns in Kilmarnock for a number of years, and in 1908, Robert Blackwood formed a partnership with Gavin Morton, establishing Blackwood and Morton of Kilmarnock, which better became known as BMK which specialised in the manufacturing of carpets. Blackwood and Morton of Kilmarnock (BMK) ceased production and closed in 2005, following the closure of Stoddard Carpets and at this time, Stoddard Carpets was the oldest carpet manufacturing company still in operation at that time in Scotland.{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4284253.stm|title='Oldest' carpet maker shuts down|date=21 February 2005|website=News.bbc.co.uk}}{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4285111.stm|title=The history of Stoddard carpets|date=21 February 2005|website=News.bbc.co.uk}} Carpets manufactured in Kilmarnock were internationally known for their quality and intricacy since the late 19th century.{{cite web | url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12394843.final-collapse-for-famous-carpet-firm-179-staff-made-redundant-as-stoddard-fails-after-168-years/ | title=Final collapse for famous carpet firm 179 staff made redundant as Stoddard fails after 168 years | date=22 February 2005 }} Shoe making was a dominating industry during the height of Kilmarnock's industrial strength, with both Clarks and Saxone Shoes producing shoes from warehouses within the town. The Saxone Shoe factory in Kilmarnock was the largest shoe production factory in operation in Scotland with a staff base of 1,000 employees at the plants peak.{{Cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/remembering-scotlands-lost-saxone-factory-1410592|title=Remembering Scotland's lost Saxone factory|website=Scotsman.com|date=14 August 2019 }} Saxone Shoes was bought by the British Sears group and became defunct when Sears sold it to Stylo.{{cite web |title=REMEMBERING SCOTLAND'S LOST SAXONE FACTORY |url=https://saxoneofscotland.com/blogs/notizie/remembering-scotlands-lost-saxone-factory |website=www.saxoneofscotland.com |publisher=Saxone of Scotland |access-date=14 January 2024}}

File:Bank Street, Kilmarnock - geograph.org.uk - 5078101.jpg

Coal was mined within the vicinity of Kilmarnock, with former mines being located within the areas of Grange, Bonnyton and Portland. Quarrying took place at areas such as Dean, Holm and elsewhere, with clay works for bricks and tiles being produced in Gargieston. Clay was also made into sanitary ware at Hillhead, Longpark and Bonnyton, with the produced products being exported extensively from Kilmarnock. Garden produce relied on the establishment and operation of a number of nurseries within Kilmarnock, namely at Westmoor, Holmes, Burnside, New Park and New Pit, despite the towns heavy reliance on heavy industry for economic strength. Kilmarnock had one of the earliest tram railways in the world, running to Troon over the recently restored Laigh Milton viaduct.{{cite web |title=Railway Town |url=https://www.kilmarnockhistory.co.uk/en/Railway-Town/ |website=www.kilmarnockhistory.co.uk |publisher=Kilmarnock History Group |access-date=14 January 2024}} The Glasgow & South Western Railway set up their works here, producing nearly 400 locomotives by the time it was absorbed by the London, Midland & Scottish Railway in 1923. Some work continued, but heavy repairs were sent to St Rollox. Locomotive repairs finished in 1952, and the works closed in 1959. Nevertheless, locomotives are still made by Brodie Engineering, as well as the maintenance of existing diesel and electric multiple units. From 1949 self-propelled combine harvesters were built in Kilmarnock in a large Massey-Harris factory on the outskirts of the town. It later became Massey Ferguson, and closed in 1980. Glenfield and Kennedy still survives, albeit with a fraction of its former workforce, which at its height numbered in the thousands.

{{further|NHS Ayrshire and Arran|NHS Scotland|Health care in Scotland}}

File:Crosshouse Hospital c 2004 - geograph.org.uk - 2748202.jpg, Kilmarnock's main hospital and largest within NHS Ayrshire and Arran]]

Kilmarnock is served by NHS Ayrshire and Arran, one of fourteen regions of NHS Scotland. NHS Ayrshire and Arran was formed in 2004, with Kilmarnock being served by NHS Ayrshire and Arran's largest hospital, University Hospital Crosshouse, situated less than one mile outwith Kilmarnock between the town and neighbour village Crosshouse.

The town was previously served by the Kilmarnock Infirmary which opened in 1868 in Portland Street, to meet the growing population of the town. The original building was designed by the prolific Kilmarnock architect, William Atkinson Railton.{{cite web| url=http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/architect_full.php?id=100037| title=William A Railton| publisher=Dictionary of Scottish Architects| accessdate=2009-08-29}} The foundation stone was laid in September 1867 and the building opened in October 1868.{{cite web| url=http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/building_full.php?id=218651| title=Building/Design Report: Kilmarnock Infirmary and Fever Hospital, Mount Pleasant| publisher=Dictionary of Scottish Architects| accessdate=2009-08-29}} A children's block and a nurses' training school were added in 1891. In 1923 it had a capacity of 130 beds.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=apdAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OKUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1328%2C2655370 |title=Kilmarnock Infirmary Extension |work=The Glasgow Herald |date=21 May 1923 |page=7 |accessdate=1 March 2017}} With hospital services transferred to Crosshouse Hospital, the infirmary building and the accident and emergency building were demolished in the late 1980s. The listed nurses' home was demolished under a Dangerous Building Notice in September 1997.{{cite web|url=http://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/crpadmmin/agendas/dev%20serv/13%20feb%202001/former%20kilmarnock%20infirmary%20site%20at%20hill%20street-garden%20street,%20kilmarnock.pdf |title=Report on the former Kilmarnock Infirmary Site at Hill Street/Garden Street, Kilmarnock |publisher=East Ayrshire Council |accessdate=2009-08-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110603235232/http://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/crpadmmin/agendas/dev%20serv/13%20feb%202001/former%20kilmarnock%20infirmary%20site%20at%20hill%20street-garden%20street%2C%20kilmarnock.pdf |archivedate=2011-06-03 }}

Work on University Hospital Crosshouse, which was commissioned to replace the Kilmarnock Infirmary, began on the site in August 1972 with completion expected in May 1977.{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1980/dec/09/north-ayrshire-district-general-hospital|title=North Ayrshire District General Hospital|publisher=Hansard|date=9 December 1980|access-date=22 January 2019}} The contractor, Melville Dundas & Whitson, encountered difficulties with the water supply and ventilation systems{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19781129&id=8QI-AAAAIBAJ&pg=5506,6657982&hl=en|title=Board told to reject faulty £10m hospital|publisher=The Glasgow Herald |date=29 November 1978|access-date=20 September 2015}} and the facility was only officially opened by George Younger, Secretary of State for Scotland, as Crosshouse Hospital in June 1984.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhsaaa.net/media/5486/dialogue-2-issue-1.pdf|page=6|title=Happy Birthday NHSpublisher=Dialogue 2.0|access-date=22 January 2019}} Services provided at University Hospital Crosshouse include an Emergency Department covering both East Ayrshire and North Ayrshire, Maternity Unit (covering the whole of the Ayrshire region), paediatric inpatient services, a Combined Assessment Unit and Ayrshire Doctors on Call (ADOC).{{cite web |title=University Hospital Crosshouse |url=https://www.nhsaaa.net/services/hospitals/university-hospital-crosshouse/ |publisher=NHS Ayrshire and Arran |access-date=29 November 2023}}

A new maternity unit, which replaced a similar facility at Ayrshire Central Hospital in Irvine was opened in the grounds of the hospital in 2006.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/stillbirth-rate-ayrshire-maternity-unit-2440471|title=Stillbirth rate at Ayrshire maternity unit rises|date=13 February 2009|publisher=Daily Record|access-date=20 January 2019}} In March 2012, the hospital officially became University Hospital Crosshouse as a result of a partnership with the University of the West of Scotland.{{cite news|url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/anger-as-hospitals-are-given-new-names-out-of-the-blue.16777036 |title=Anger as hospitals are given new names 'out of the blue' |last=Wilson |first=Caroline |work=Evening Times |date=20 February 2012 |access-date=9 July 2014}}

Kirklandside Hospital, in neighbouring village Hurlford closed between 2018 and 2020. Kirklandside hospital provided consultant-led services for frail elderly patients. It had 25 long-stay beds for inpatient care and a day hospital which provided assessment and rehabilitation facilities.{{cite web |url=http://www.nhsaaa.net/hospitals-and-health-centres/kirklandside-hospital.aspx |title=Kirklandside Hospital |publisher=NHS Ayrshire and Arran |accessdate=9 July 2014}} Kilmarnock is served by a number of general practice (GP) surgeries under NHS Scotland and a variety of other healthcare services including dental treatment and pharmacies.

{{further|Kilmarnock railway station|Kilmarnock railway viaduct}}

File:Garden Street, Kilmarnock - geograph.org.uk - 5077831.jpg in the centre]]

Until the 18th century, means of transportation in and around Kilmarnock relied on rough tracks which were narrow, twisting and, at times, impassable, to link the town with neighbouring settlements. The Ayrshire Turnpike Act 1767 was passed which allowed for the rough tracks to be expanded in width and improved by turnpike trusts who additionally held responsibility for the maintenance of roads.{{cite book |last1=Beattie |first1=Frank |title=Kilmarnock Through Time |date=2012 |publisher=Amberley Publishing Ltd |isbn=9781848684102 |page=45}} Following the 1767 act, numerous new and improved roads were completed in the town, such as roads linking Kilmarnock with Ayr, Irvine, Kilmaurs, Stewarton, Kingswell and Flockbridge. An additional act, the Ayrshire Turnpike Act 1774, named a total of 39 new roads for Ayrshire, and included several roads in and around Kilmarnock to link the town with Symington, Riccarton, Dundonald and Hurlford. Improved roads around the town had a positive effect on trade and business in Kilmarnock. By the start of the 19th century, William Bentinck, 4th Duke of Portland, wanted "the best way" to transport coal between Kilmarnock and the seaside settlement of Troon for onward shipping.File:156432 Kilmarnock 260724 with flowers.jpg]]

In 1812, the Kilmarnock and Troon Railway opened, the first railway in Scotland, mainly to carry coal from the area to the harbour at Troon, but also had a regular passenger service provided prior to the construction work being complete. In 1904, Kilmarnock built its own tramway system, the Kilmarnock Corporation Tramways.The Golden Age of Tramways. Published by Taylor and Francis. An electric power station was built on the south bank of the River Irvine at Riccarton and 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.

Today the town is served by Kilmarnock railway station, which operates services from the town to all major locations in Scotland connecting with Stranraer for the ferries to the Port of Belfast as well as Larne Harbour in Northern Ireland and as far as Carlisle and Newcastle in England. Despite an expensive upgrade to the railway station clock in 2008,{{cite web | url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/kilmarnock-train-station-clock-gets-2450106 | title=Kilmarnock train station clock gets makeover | date=14 August 2008 }} it was announced in December 2022 following a full cabinet meeting of East Ayrshire Council that the station clock was to be removed and landscaped "with immediate affect" due to continuous technical difficulties preventing the clock and its LED lighting from working properly.{{cite web | url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/ayrshire/kilmarnocks-iconic-clock-removed-with-28763012 | title=Kilmarnock's iconic clock to be removed 'with immediate effect' | date=18 December 2022 }}

The town's "Transport Station" for bus travel opened in 1923, and was among the first custom–built bus stations in Scotland. It remained the town's main bus station until 1974 when it was replaced by a new bus station, which itself has been upgraded extensively through 2021–2024. File:Dean Bridge, Kilmarnock - geograph.org.uk - 5026972.jpg Kilmarnock has road links to Glasgow through the M77 motorway from Fenwick to its junction with the M8 at the Kingston Bridge. A south side motorway connects this point to the M74 near Calderpark when the latest phase of development is complete, eliminating some of the heavy traffic formerly travelling on the A71 through Hurlford, Galston, Newmilns, Darvel and Strathaven to join the M74 at Stonehouse.

Stagecoach Group is the main transport provider in the town; it operates bus services to most major towns in the west of Scotland. Kilmarnock has its own bus station. As an early market town, Kilmarnock lies on the intersection of 3 main roads: the A71 which runs from Edinburgh to Irvine, the A76 from Dumfries, and the A77/M77 from Stranraer to Glasgow.

Kilmarnock has no international airport, however, the town, as well as surrounding settlements in the area, is served by nearby Glasgow Prestwick Airport (14 mi).

{{Further|Education in Scotland}}

File:Ayrshire College - Kilmarnock Campus - geograph.org.uk - 5973748.jpg]]

Kilmarnock has ten primary schools, three secondary schools (Kilmarnock Academy, Grange Academy and Saint Josephs' Academy) and thirteen nursery schools. The schools are managed by East Ayrshire Council.{{cite web |title=Schools |url=https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/Schools/Our-schools.aspx |website=www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk |publisher=East Ayrshire Council |access-date=13 January 2024}} Further education in the town is provided by Ayrshire College, previously known as Kilmarnock College{{cite web|title=On 1 August, Ayr College, James Watt College (North Ayrshire) and Kilmarnock College merged to form Ayrshire College|url=http://www1.ayrshire.ac.uk/|website=Ayrshire.ac.uk|access-date=6 July 2019}} and, prior to that, Kilmarnock Technical College.{{cite web |title=New Technical College, Kilmarnock |url=http://www.futuremuseum.co.uk/collections/life-work/social-history/home-life/education/new-technical-college,-kilmarnock.aspx |website=www.futuremusuem.co.uk |publisher=Future Museum |access-date=13 January 2024}}

The town's oldest secondary school Kilmarnock Academy dates back to the 1600s. The school in its present-day serves as a comprehensive school, one of three in Kilmarnock. It can trace its history back to the local burgh school founded in the 1630s and the first school to bear the name was established in 1876. Kilmarnock Academy is one of a small number of schools in the United Kingdom, and was the first school in Scotland,{{Cite web |url=http://kilmarnockacademy.co.uk/famousindex.htm |title=K.A. Famous former pupils – index and Neil Dickson profile |access-date=4 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720004458/http://kilmarnockacademy.co.uk/famousindex.htm |archive-date=20 July 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} to have educated two Nobel Prize Laureates – Sir Alexander Fleming, discoverer of Penicillin, and The 1st Baron Boyd-Orr, for his scientific research into nutrition and his work as the first Director-General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Grange Academy in the Bonnyton area of the town, is one of only seven Scottish Football Association (SFA) Performance Schools.{{cite web | url=https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/performance/jd-performance-schools/grange-academy-kilmarnock/ | title=Grange Academy | Performance Schools | Scottish FA }}

Loanhead Primary School was founded as Loanhead Public School, and was erected between 1903 and 1905 to accommodate primary aged pupils in the eastern part of Kilmarnock.{{cite book |last1=Love |first1=Dane |title=A Look Back at Kilmarnock |date=2022 |publisher=CARN Publishing |isbn=9781911043164 |page=55}} The foundation stone was laid by Andrew Carnegie on 29 August 1903 before opening to pupils in 1905, and the building is a Category B listed building by Historic Environment Scotland{{cite web | url=http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB48755 | title=Loanhead Street, Loanhead School, Including Janitor's House, Boundary Walls, Railings, Gatepiers and Playshelters (Lb48755) }} At a construction cost of £15,000, Loanhead Public School was to become the seventh primary school built by the Kilmarnock School Board, as before the introduction of the Education (Scotland) Act 1872, pupils were either educated by schools operated by churches, private individuals or parish councils. Loanhead Primary School underwent a multi-mullion pound programme of investment between 2020 and 2021 to modernise the building and include provision for early years education within the town centre area of Kilmarnock.{{cite web | url=https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/news/article/expansion-works-get-underway-at-loanhead | title=Expansion works get underway at Loanhead – East Ayrshire Council News | date=22 October 2019 }}

File:Kilmarnock Academy original building, 2017.jpg educated two Nobel laureates – Alexander Fleming, discoverer of Penicillin, and John Boyd Orr, 1st Baron Boyd-Orr]]

In the years that followed the establishment of Loanhead Primary School in 1905, due to the towns growth and expansion, new primary schools were opened, including Shortlees Primary School (1951), Mount Carmel Primary School (1965), Annanhill Primary School (1973), St Matthew's Primary School (1973), Gargieston Primary School (1975), Bellfield Primary School and Whattriggs Primary School (2019).{{cite book |last1=Love |first1=Dane |title=A Look Back at Kilmarnock |date=2022 |publisher=CARN Publishing |isbn=9781911043164 |page=56}} Other primary schools to have been established in Kilmarnock since Loanhead include Silverwood Primary School, Onthank Primary School, Hillhead Primary School and Kirkstyle Primary School. Their dates of establishment remain unclear.

Early Childhood Centres

{{div col|colwidth=28em}}

• Cairns Early Childhood Centre
• Dean Park Nursery (private establishment in partnership with East Ayrshire Council)
• Flowerbank Early Childhood Centre
• Gaelic Early Childhood Centre
• Gargieston Early Childhood Centre
• Hillbank Early Childhood Centre
• James Hamilton Early Childhood Centre
• Onthank Early Childhood Centre
• Riccarton Early Childhood Centre
• Shortlees Early Childhood Centre
• St Andrew's Early Childhood Centre
• Whatriggs Early Childhood Centre
• Loanhead Early Childhood Centre

{{div col end}}

Primary schools

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• Annanhill Primary School
• Gargieston Primary School
• Hillhead Primary School
• Loanhead Primary School
• James Hamilton Primary School
• Mount Carmel Primary School
• Onthank Primary School
• Shortlees Primary School
• St Andrew's Primary School
• Whatriggs Primary School

{{div col end}}

Secondary Schools

• Kilmarnock Academy
• Grange Academy
• Saint Josephs' Academy

Special Schools

• Park School
• Willowbank School

Further education

• Ayrshire College (Kilmarnock Campus)

File:Burns Monument Centre, Kilmarnock (geograph 5067727) (cropped).jpg at the Burns Monument Centre located in the Kay Park]]

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.

The first collection of work by Scottish poet Robert Burns, Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect was published in Kilmarnock on 31 July 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 or Kilmarnock Volume. To commemorate Burns' association with the town, a statue of Burns and John Wilson, publisher of the Kilmarnock Edition, was erected at The Cross in the town centre and was unveiled by Anne, Princess Royal on 27 September 1995. The Burns Monument in the towns Kay Park was opened on 9 August 1879 and contained a museum of artefacts. Designed by Robert Ingram, the monument cost an estimated £2,892 to build and contained a marble statue of Robert Burns which was designed by W. G. Stevenson, as well as a tower which features rooms that could be visited by the public. When closed for renovations, the monument suffered a severe fire on 20 November 2004, with much of the original structure collapsing. The monument was partially reconstructed and re-opened as the Burns Monument Centre.

The ancestors of William Wallace held the Barony of Ricarton, where the suburb of Riccarton is now located, and, according to local tradition, Wallace was born at Ellerslie near Kilmarnock.{{cite web|title=Sir William Wallace|url=https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/TourismAndVisitorAttractions/LocalHistoryAndHeritage/Famouspeople/SirWilliamWallace.aspx|website=East Ayrshire Council|access-date=7 January 2017}} John Bowring, polyglot and fourth governor of Hong Kong, was Member of Parliament for Kilmarnock in 1835. In the castle of Kilmarnock, Dean Castle, there is an exhibition of armour and weapons, and the Van Raalte collection of musical instruments.

File:Sir James Shaw Bart, Kilmarnock - geograph.org.uk - 5078586.jpg, Lord Mayor of London (1805–1806), who originated from the town]]

In 2010, BBC Scotland filmed residents on the town's Onthank and Longpark area for the TV programme The Scheme which broadcast in 2010 for two episodes so far, out of a planned four. The Scheme caused much controversy within residents of the community, who believed that the BBC only showed the "worst parts", leading to others believing that they were "pretty much the same". The series has been the subject of media criticism, with the series being labelled as "poverty porn"{{cite news |last1=Graham |first1=Jane |title=The Scheme: gritty TV or poverty porn? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2010/may/28/the-scheme-bbc |access-date=13 October 2015 |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=28 May 2010}}{{cite news |title=The Scheme: A brutal eye-opener or 'poverty porn'? |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/the-scheme-a-brutal-eye-opener-or-poverty-porn-1-805864#axzz3oUFh0W00 |access-date=13 October 2015 |work=The Scotsman |date=28 May 2010}} and described as giving a "misleading impression" of life on the estate. The final two episodes of the series were never broadcast due to legal issues.[http://news.stv.tv/scotland/west-central/178444-debate-over-housing-estate-portrayal-on-the-scheme/ Debate over housing estate portrayal on 'The Scheme'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119154617/http://news.stv.tv/scotland/west-central/178444-debate-over-housing-estate-portrayal-on-the-scheme/ |date=19 January 2011 }}, stv.tv, 19 May 2010

Scottish duo The Proclaimers titled a song "The Joyful Kilmarnock Blues" on their debut album, This Is the Story, released in 1987, as a reference to the town. Additionally, "The Ballroom Blitz" by the band The Sweet was inspired by an event at the town's Grand Hall music venue, when, in 1973, the band were performing at the venue and were driven off the stage by a barrage of bottles thrown from the crowd.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UH_EOUR4tmkC&pg=PT886|title=1001 Songs: You Must Hear Before You Die|first=Robert|last=Dimery|date=5 December 2011|publisher=Octopus|isbn=9781844037179|via=Google Books}} The song went onto achieve worldwide fame and success, reaching the top ten on both the UK Singles Charts and the Billboard Hot 100 singles charts, with many still talking about the concept behind the song. In October 2022, the town's Grand Hall played host to the 2022 BBC New Comedy Award.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001d9kz | title=BBC Three – BBC New Comedy Awards, 2022, Kilmarnock }}

{{Further|Kilmarnock F.C.|Ayrshire derby|Rugby Park}}

File:Rugby Park, Kilmarnock.jpg, home of Kilmarnock F.C.]]

The town is host to Kilmarnock F.C., a member of the Scottish Premiership and the oldest professional football club in Scotland.{{cite web|url=http://www.scotprem.com/content/default.asp?page=s26_2 |title=Having been founded in 1869, Kilmarnock can claim to be the second oldest surviving Association football club in Scotland |publisher=Scotprem.com |access-date=14 May 2010}} The club is one of eight founding members of the Scottish Football Association in 1873. Although not able to send a representative to the meeting which established the association, Kilmarnock F.C. did send a letter of willingness to join,{{cite book |last1=Cairns, Livingston |first1=Richard, John |title=Kilmarnock Football Club: 150 Years In the Making |date=2019 |publisher=Kilmarnock Football Club Ltd. |page=9}} and did so in time to compete in the inaugural Scottish Cup tournament in 1873–74. Their 2–0 defeat against Renton in the first round on 18 October 1873 is thought to have been the first match ever played in the competition.

There are two golf courses in the town, Annanhill Golf Course and Caprington Golf Course, which has both an 18-hole course and a 9-hole course. Annanhill Golf Course is owned and operated by East Ayrshire Council,{{cite web |title=Annanhill Golf Course |url=https://eastayrshireleisure.com/venue/annanhill-golf-course/ |website=www.eastayrshirelesuire.com |publisher=East Ayrshire Leisure |access-date=13 January 2024}} while Caprington is privately owned by a community group.{{cite web |title=History |url=https://www.capringtongolfclub.com/history/ |website=www.capringtongolfclub.com |publisher=Caprington Golf Club |access-date=13 January 2024}} The local leisure complexes include the Galleon Centre which features a 25-metre swimming pool, baby pool, ice rink, squash courts, sauna, gym, games hall, bar area and bowling green,{{cite web |title=Galleon Leisure Centre, Kilmarnock |url=https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/galleon-leisure-centre-p259151 |website=www.visitscotland.com |publisher=Visit Scotland |access-date=13 January 2024}} as well as the Northwest Centre (formerly the Hunter Centre) which contains a community gym and various local medical facilities.{{cite web |title=North West Kilmarnock Area Centre |url=https://www.austinsmithlord.com/projects/north-west-kilmarnock-area-centre/ |website=www.austinsmithlord.com |publisher=Austin Smith Lord |access-date=13 January 2024}} The new Ayrshire Athletics Centre was constructed in the Queens Drive area which includes a 400m running track outside of the main building.{{Cite web|url=http://www.basestructures.com/portfolio/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103054205/http://www.basestructures.com/projects/exterior/339.html|url-status=dead|title=Bespoke fabric, mesh & cable net structures|archive-date=3 November 2011|website=Base Structures}} The athletics arena was used as part of the 2014 Commonwealth Games as a pre–games training ground for athletes from across the Commonwealth of Nations.{{cite web |title=2014: A Guide to training camp facilities in East Ayrshire |url=https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/Resources/PDF/T/Training-Camp-brochure-Legacy%202014-Aug-13.pdf |website=www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk |publisher=East Ayrshire Council |access-date=13 January 2024}}

One of the towns secondary schools, Grange Academy, is a Scottish Football Association (SFA) performance school. Only six other performance schools are established in Scotland – Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow and Motherwell.{{cite web | url=https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/performance/jd-performance-schools/ | title=Scottish FA JD Performance Schools | Performance | Scottish FA }}

Kilmarnock – as part of East Ayrshire Council – is twinned with five cities and has received awards from the Council of Europe for its work in twinning.{{cite web|url=https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/TourismAndVisitorAttractions/TouristInformation/Town-Twinning.aspx |title=Town Twinning |access-date=18 September 2021 |work=East Ayrshire Council |date=25 August 2020 |quote=East Ayrshire is twinned with five European towns...In September 1980 Kilmarnock and Loudoun District Council (now part of East Ayrshire Council) was presented with the Council of Europe Flag of Honour; this was followed in August 1989 by the Plaque of Honour which is second only to the Europe Prize itself. Both are now kept within the Council's offices in Kilmarnock.}}{{cite web|url=http://teigntwin.co.uk/atoz/twins-k.htm |title=TTA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080505051750/http://www.teigntwin.co.uk/atoz/twins-k.htm |archive-date= 5 May 2008 }}

{{div col|colwidth=18em}}

• Alès, France;
• Herstal, Belgium;
• Joué-lès-Tours, France;
• Kulmbach, Germany;
• Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain.

{{div col end}}

The former Kilmarnock and Loudoun District Council is also twinned with Sukhumi, Abkhazia (Russian-occupied Georgia) on the Black Sea coast.{{cite news |title=Pro-Independence Scots Have A Friend – In Abkhazia |newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/georgia-scotland-abkhazia-independence-referendum/26590366.html |date=17 September 2014 |access-date=13 October 2015 |ref=rferl.org |last1=Gogoryan |first1=Anaid |last2=Sindelar |first2=Daisy }} Following a review of links, this link is now considered as a friendship link.{{cite web|url=http://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/content.asp?URL=/crpadmmin/agendas/members/sept%202005/town%20twinning%20update%20-%207%20september%202005.pdf|title=Members' Services And Civic Ceremonial Sub-committee Of The Policy And Resources Committee – 7 September 2005|publisher=East Ayrshire Council|access-date=11 May 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918234349/http://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/content.asp?URL=%2Fcrpadmmin%2Fagendas%2Fmembers%2Fsept%202005%2Ftown%20twinning%20update%20-%207%20september%202005.pdf|archive-date=18 September 2013|df=dmy-all}}

File:James Shaw by Mary Martha Pearson.jpg (1764–1843), Lord Mayor of London and Member of Parliament for London. (artist Mary Martha Pearson)]]

File:Synthetic Production of Penicillin TR1468.jpg, discoverer of Penicillin, was born in nearby Darvel and attended Kilmarnock Academy]]

Below is a list of those who have either been born, lived in or have been associated with the town of Kilmarnock at some point of their life:

;Literature and arts:

• Gilbert Adair; writer{{Cite web|url=http://old.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/reviews/releases/gilbert-adair-that-sinking-feeling-and-gregory%27s-girl.php|title=One elephant, two elephant: That Sinking Feeling and Gregory's Girl|date=3 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803012732/http://old.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/reviews/releases/gilbert-adair-that-sinking-feeling-and-gregory%27s-girl.php|archive-date=3 August 2012}}
• Steven Brown; artist best known for his McCoo artwork{{cite web |title=About the Artist {{!}} Steven Brown Art & Lifestyle |url=https://www.stevenbrownart.co.uk/pages/about-steven-brown |website=Steven Brown Art |access-date=24 August 2024 |language=en}}
• Robert Colquhoun; painter, printmaker and theatre set designer{{cite web |title=Robert Colquhoun 1914–1962 |url=https://artuk.org/discover/artists/colquhoun-robert-19141962 |website=www.artuk.org |publisher=Art UK |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• Steven Cree, actor, best known for his role in Outlander and Outlaw King.{{cite web |title=Outlander star Steven Cree on his Kilmarnock childhood, wild days and the truth about Onthank |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/bestofscotland/19891454.outlander-star-steven-cree-kilmarnock-childhood-wild-days-truth-onthank/ |website=www.heraldscotland.com |publisher=Herald Scotland |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• Fatherson, three piece alternative rock band formed in the town, with the three members having resided in the town and been educated at local schools in Kilmarnock{{cite web |title=From Kilmarnock comes 'Fatherson' with a UK Tour |url=https://therockclubuk.com/?view=article&id=1655:from-kilmarnock-comes-fatherson-with-a-uk-tour&catid=25 |website=www.therockclubuk.com |publisher=The Rock Club UK |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• Clark Sorley, record producer{{cite web |title=Clark Sorley, Music Producer, Kilmarnock Scotland |url=https://www.clarksorley.com |website=www.clarksorley.com |publisher=Clark Sorley |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• James Prime, member of the band Deacon Blue{{cite web |title=Deacon Blue songs and albums |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/24472/deacon-blue/ |website=www.officialcharts.com |publisher=Official Charts |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• James Buckley who starred as Jay Cartwright in The Inbetweeners resided in Kilmarnock for a period of time with his wife.{{Cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/only-way-kilmarnock-inbetweeners-star-10516560|title=The Only Way is Kilmarnock for Inbetweeners star James Buckley|first=Steve|last=Hendry|date=28 May 2017|work=Daily Record}}
• John Kelso Hunter; 19th-century oil painter and author{{cite web |title=John Kelso Hunter |url=http://www.futuremuseum.co.uk/collections/people/key-people/artists/john-kelso-hunter.aspx |website=www.futuremuseum.co.uk |publisher=Future Museum |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• Ben and James Johnston, drummer and bassist of Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro
• Chris Kelso; writer, illustrator, editor and journalist{{cite web |title=Chris Kelso – Poet |url=https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poet/chris-kelso/ |website=www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk |publisher=Scottish Poetry Library |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• Kirsty McCabe; weather presenter and meteorologist BBC, ITV, Channel 5 and Sky News{{cite web |title=About |url=http://www.kirstymccabe.co.uk/about/ |website=www.kirstymccabe.co.uk |publisher=Kirsty McCabe |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• Malky McCormick; cartoonist{{cite web |title=Legendary Kilmarnock cartoonist Malky McCormick dies aged 75 |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/legendary-kilmarnock-cartoonist-malky-mccormick-14360773 |website=www.dailyrecord.co.uk |publisher=Daily Record |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• Iain McDowall; crime writer{{cite web |title=Biography |url=https://crowby.co.uk/about6.htm |website=www.crowby.co.uk |publisher=Iain McDowall |access-date=19 January 2024}}
• Hugh McIlvanney; sports journalist{{cite web |title=Kilmarnock proud of its connection with McIlvanney clan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jan/27/kilmarnock-proud-connection-hugh-mcilvanney-clan |website=www.theguardian.com |publisher=The Guardian |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• William McIlvanney; writer, born 1936 and known for his series of books Laidlaw{{cite web|url=http://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=5019 |title=Literary Encyclopedia: William McIlvanney |publisher=Litencyc.com |date=30 June 2002 |access-date=22 February 2010}}
• James McKie, printer and publisher{{cite web |title=James McKie |url=http://www.futuremuseum.co.uk/collections/people/key-people/collectors-explorers/james-mckie.aspx |website=www.futuremuseum.co.uk |publisher=Future Museum |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• Colin Mochrie; comedian{{cite web |title=Colin Mochrie: "It's shocking you just can't kill Whose Line is it Anyway?" |url=https://www.bigissue.com/culture/tv/colin-mochrie-shocking-just-cant-kill-whose-line-anyway/ |website=www.bigissue.com |publisher=Big Issue |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• William and John Sloane; founders of W. & J. Sloane in New York City.{{cite web|title=Merestead|url=https://parks.westchestergov.com/merestead|website=parks.westchestergov.com|publisher=Westchester County Government|access-date=February 6, 2018|language=en-gb}}
• Mike Ogletree; drummer and percussionist{{cite web |title=Mike Ogletree (aka The Blaxcotsman ) |url=https://meadowlarkmotel.com/event/mike-ogletree-aka-the-blaxcotsman-2/ |website=www.meadowlarkmotel.com |publisher=Meadowlark Motel |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• Kirsty Wark; TV news journalist and presenter of Newsnight{{cite web |title=INTERVIEW: Kirsty Wark on how she escapes her busy workload and makes every second count |url=https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/interview-kirsty-wark-on-how-she-escapes-her-busy-workload/ |website=www.sundaypost.com |publisher=Sunday Post |access-date=13 January 2024}}

;Medicine and science:

• John Boyd Orr; biologist, politician and Nobel Peace Prize-winner{{cite web |title=Lord Boyd Orr – Facts |url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1949/orr/facts/ |website=www.nobelprize.org |publisher=Nobel Prize |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• Alexander Fleming; discoverer of penicillin and winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, attended Kilmarnock Academy{{cite web |title=Alexander Fleming |url=https://www.kilmarnockhistory.co.uk/en/Sir-Alexander-Fleming/ |website=www.kilmarnockhistory.co.uk |publisher=Kilmarnock History Group |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• Robert Thomson Leiper, parasitologist and helminthologist{{cite web |title=Robert Thomson Leiper, 1881–1969 |url=https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbm.1970.0015 |website=www.royalsocietypublishing.org |publisher=Royal Society Publishing |access-date=13 January 2024}}

;Businesspeople:

• Sir Alexander Walker; creator of Johnnie Walker whisky and son of John "Johnnie" Walker{{cite web |title=Sir Alexander Walker |url=http://www.futuremuseum.co.uk/collections/people/key-people/collectors-explorers/sir-alexander-walker.aspx |website=www.futuremuseum.co.uk |publisher=Future Museum |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• John "Johnnie" Walker; originator of Johnnie Walker whisky, grocer, and father of Sir Alexander Walker{{cite web |title=Johnnie Walker |url=https://www.kilmarnockhistory.co.uk/en/Johnnie-Walker/ |website=www.kilmarnockhistory.co.uk |publisher=Kilmarnock History Group |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• Marie Macklin, CEO of The KLIN Group and founder of The HALO Urban Regeneration{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/17522128.marie-macklin-10-things-changed-life/|title=Marie Macklin: 10 things that changed my life|website=The National|date=24 March 2019 }}
• Gareth Kirkwood; former director of operations at British Airways, current CEO of The Nurture Landscapes Group{{cite web |title=Profile – Gareth Kirkwood |url=https://travelweekly.co.uk/articles/1283/profile-gareth-kirkwood |website=www./travelweekly.co.uk |publisher=Travel Weekly |access-date=13 January 2024}}

;Politics:

• Ian Deans; Scottish-Canadian NDP politician who represented Hamilton{{cite web |title=Remembering Ian Deans |url=https://www.moniquetaylormpp.ca/remembering_ian_deans |website=www.moniquetaylormpp.ca |publisher=Monique Taylor |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• James Shaw; Lord Mayor of London in 1805.
• Major General Sir Robert Murdoch Smith, engineer, archaeologist and diplomat{{cite web |title=The Life of Major-General Sir Robert Murdoch Smith |url=https://archive.org/details/lifemajorgenera00dickgoog/page/n19/mode/2up?view=theater |website=www.archive.org |publisher=William Blackwood and Sons |access-date=13 January 2024}}

;Sports:

File:Espana-escocia-sub19-16 (46374467514) (gilmour).jpg

• Jim Brown, footballer{{Cite web |title=Jim Brown (Player) |url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/62498/Jim_Brown_1.html |access-date=14 February 2025 |website=National Football Teams}}
• Joanne Calderwood; flyweight mixed martial artist in the Ultimate Fighting Championship{{cite web |title=UFC 242: Kilmarnock's Joanne Calderwood one of first female fighters to compete in Abu Dhabi |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/ayrshire/ufc-242-kilmarnocks-joanne-calderwood-19566684 |website=www.dailyrecord.co.uk |publisher=Daily Record |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• Billy Gilmour, footballer for Napoli and the Scotland national football team, attended Grange Academy in the town{{cite web |title=Grange Academy pupil Billy signs a professional football contract with English Premiership side Chelsea FC |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/grange-academy-pupil-billy-signs-10545426 |access-date=13 January 2024 |website=www.dailyrecord.co.uk |publisher=Daily Record}}
• Margaret McDowall; member of the Scottish swimming team and silver medal winner at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics{{cite web |title=Margaret McDowall |url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/47100 |website=www.olympedia.org |publisher=Olympedia |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• Patrick James McKay, Karate-World champion{{cite web |title=KARATE: Pat swept to world glory but we gave him the brush-off. |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/KARATE%3A+Pat+swept+to+world+glory+but+we+gave+him+the+brush-off.-a0121698999 |access-date=13 January 2024 |website=www.thefreelibrary.com |publisher=Free Library}}
• Gordon Smith; former professional footballer and former SFA Chief Executive{{cite web |title=Gordon Smith |url=https://champions-speakers.co.uk/speaker-agent/gordon-smith |website=www.champions-speakers.co.uk |publisher=Champion Speakers |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• Jim Thomson (born 1940), cricketer{{cite news|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/farewell-cricket-club-stalwart-2426442|title=Farewell to a cricket club stalwart|work=Daily Record|date=15 October 2013|accessdate=31 July 2022}}

;Merchants:

• William Cunninghame, 18th century merchant and Tobacco Lord{{cite web |title=William Cunninghame – Tobacco Lord (1731–1799) |url=https://glasgowbenefactors.com/2022/08/24/william-cunninghame-tobacco-lord-1731-1799/ |website=www.glasgowbenefactors.com |publisher=Glasgow Benefactors |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• Charles Ewart; cavalryman who captured a French regimental eagle at the Battle of Waterloo{{cite web |title=Soldier's Story: Charles Ewart, the "Most Illustrious Grey" |url=https://ageofrevolution.org/themes/soldiers/soldiers-story-charles-ewart-the-most-illustrious-grey/ |website=www.ageofrevolution.org |publisher=Age of Revolution |access-date=13 January 2024}}

;Religion:

• William Hewitt; Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 2009{{cite web |title=Very Rev. William C. Hewitt |url=http://www.greenockwestburn.org.uk/church-news/rev-w-c-hewitt/ |website=www.greenockwestburn.org.uk |publisher=Greenock Westburn |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• David Lacy; Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and a local minister{{cite web |title=Deputy Lieutenants |url=https://www.lordlieutenantayrshireandarran.org.uk/lord_lieutenant_and_vice_lord_lieutenant/deputy_lieutenants |website=www.lordlieutenantayrshireandarran.org.uk |publisher=Lieutenancy of Ayrshire and Arran |access-date=13 January 2024}}

;Military:

• Eleanor Kasrils; first woman recruited into the African National Congress military wing{{cite web |title=Kilmarnock woman was anti-apartheid heroine |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/kilmarnock-woman-was-anti-apartheid-heroine-2421312 |website=www.dailyrecord.co.uk |publisher=Daily Record |access-date=13 January 2024}}

;Other notable people from Kilmarnock:

• Duncan Millar, recipient of the Victoria Cross{{cite web |title=Duncan Millar VC |url=https://victoriacrossonline.co.uk/duncan-millar-vc/ |website=www.victoriacrossonline.co.uk |publisher=Victoria Cross Online |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• Robert Reyburn, orchardist, farmer and politician{{cite web |title=Reyburn, Robert |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2r15/reyburn-robert/print |website=www.teara.govt.nz |publisher=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=13 January 2024}}
• Jim McColl, horticulturalist, television presenter and recipient of the Victoria Medal of Honour{{Cite web |date=2024-10-23 |title=Television's Beechgrove Garden presenter Jim McColl dies |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c154g4jyxppo |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

• Dudsday – the old Kilmarnock hiring fair
• The Holy Tulzie – the Rev. John Russell of the High Kirk

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{refbegin}}

1. Beattie, Frank (1994) Greetings from Kilmarnock, Ochiltree: R. Stenlake, {{ISBN|1-872074-41-3}}
2. Beattie, Frank (2003) Kilmarnock Memories, Sutton Publishing, {{ISBN|0-7509-3236-8}}
3. Brinkhoff, T. (2007) [http://www.citypopulation.de/UK-Scotland.html City Population: Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Scotland], Online statistics (Retrieved 8 July 2007)
4. Malkin, John (1989) Pictorial History of Kilmarnock, Darvel: Alloway, {{ISBN|0-907526-42-X}}
5. Smellie, Thomas (1898) Sketches of Old Kilmarnock, Section II, limited edition of 250 copies, Kilmarnock: Dunlop & Drennan

{{refend}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Wikivoyage}}

• [https://books.google.com/books?id=5R8NAAAAYAAJ&q=History+of+Kilmarnock The History of Kilmarnock by Archibald McKay, 1858]
• [http://www.kilmarnock.com/ The Lordship and Barony of Kilmarnock]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070621193920/http://gis.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/Documents/PDFs/KilmarnockPop.pdf 2001 census key statistics for Kilmarnock]
• [http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/profile-author/108562 Author details | Scottish Book Trust]

{{Kilmarnock}}

{{East Ayrshire}}

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Category:Large burghs

Category:Towns in East Ayrshire

Category:Railway towns in Scotland