Muirkirk
![Muirkirk is located in East Ayrshire](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/East_Ayrshire_UK_location_map.svg/240px-East_Ayrshire_UK_location_map.svg.png)
![Muirkirk](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/6px-Red_pog.svg.png)
Scots
- East Ayrshire
- Ayrshire and Arran
- Kilmarnock and Loudoun
- Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
Muirkirk (Scottish Gaelic: Eaglais an t-Slèibh) is a small village in East Ayrshire, southwest Scotland. It is located on the north bank of the River Ayr, between Cumnock and Glenbuck on the A70.
Conservation
The Muirkirk & North Lowther Uplands Special Protection Area was set up to protect the populations of breeding hen harrier (Circus cyaneus), golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria), merlin (Falco columbarius), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and short-eared owl (Asio flammeus).
Population
As of 2019, the estimated population of Muirkirk is 1,386. [2]
History
The village developed around its church, which was built in 1631, and was a fertile recruiting ground for the Covenanter movement.
The village partook in curling since at least 1750, and has one of the earliest written accounts of this, by the minister, Rev John Sheppard.[3]
In recent times, the village has fallen into decline due to its geographic isolation and the collapse of its coal and iron industries, but attempts are being made at regeneration through the Muirkirk Enterprise Group which was set up in 1999.
Notable people
- Jocky Dempster, former professional footballer with Queen of the South F.C., St Mirren and Clyde F.C.
- Danny Masterton, footballer with Ayr United and Clyde, lived almost his whole life in Muirkirk.[4]
- Willie Ferguson, professional footballer with Chelsea F.C. and Queen of the South F.C.
- John Lapraik, poet
- John Loudon McAdam, who developed his system of road laying in Muirkirk
- Isobel Pagan (Tibby) - poet
- Bill Shaw, pre-war footballer
- Prof Sir Tom Symington, pioneer in Cancer research
- Alan Gebbie, professional footballer with St Mirren F.C. and Aldershot F.C.[5]
References
- ^ "Mid-2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland". National Records of Scotland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- ^ "Locality Populations".
- ^ Curling: An Illustrated History, by David B Smith ISBN 0-85976-074-X
- ^ The Scotsman, 23 May 2020.
- ^ "Gebbie Allan Image 1 St Mirren 1935".
External links
Media related to Muirkirk at Wikimedia Commons
- Muirkirk's Official Website
- Muirkirk Enterprise Group
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Council structure: Chief Executive: Eddie Fraser; Provost of the Council Cllr Jim Todd; Leader of the Council Cllr Douglas Reid
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/East_Ayrshire_in_Scotland.svg/180px-East_Ayrshire_in_Scotland.svg.png)
- Auchinleck
- Bellsbank
- Bloak
- Bonnyton
- Catrine
- Craigmalloch
- Cronberry
- Crosshouse
- Dalrymple
- Drongan
- Dunlop
- Fenwick
- Gatehead
- Glenbuck
- Greenholm
- Haugh
- Hurlford
- Kilmaurs
- Knockentiber
- Logan
- Lugar
- Lugton
- Moscow
- Muirkirk
- Netherthird
- Newmilns
- Ochiltree
- Patna
- Polnessan
- Priestland
- Rankinston
- Riccarton
- Sorn
- Stair
- Trabboch
- Waterside
- Alan Brown (SNP)
- Allan Dorans (SNP)
- Willie Coffey (SNP)
- Elena Whitham (SNP)
- Auchinleck House
- Aiket Castle
- Dalmore House and Estate
- Dick Institute
- Palace Theatre, Kilmarnock
- Whitelee Wind Farm
- Dumfries House
- Loch Doon
- Loudoun Castle
- Kilmaurs Place
- Rowallan Castle
- Rugby Park
- Scottish Industrial Railway Centre
- Sorn Castle
- Stair House
- Dean Castle
- Tam O' Shanter Hone Works, Dalmore
- Robertland House
- The HALO Urban Regeneration
- Whitelee Wind Farm
- Dean Castle
- Dunlop cheese
- Palace Theatre and Grand Hall complex
- Johnnie Walker
- Scottish Industrial Railway Centre
- Andrew Barclay Sons & Co.
- Loudoun Hill
- NHS Ayrshire and Arran
- University Hospital Crosshouse
- Kilmarnock town centre
- Ayrshire College
- The KLIN Group
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