Sightseeing in Kilmarnock - what to see. Complete travel guide

Kilmarnock is a small town with a population of just about fifty thousand people lying on the banks of the Irwin River in the Scottish county council of East Ayrshire. This place is well known to connoisseurs of world poetry; in 1759, the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns was born not far from Kilmarnock in a large family of a simple farmer. By the way, the highest monument in honor of the national creator in all of Scotland is installed in Kilmarnock!

Of course, the city also has a museum dedicated to Robert Burns. A wide exposition illustrating the main milestones of the poet’s life is presented within its walls. In total, there are five state museums, two art galleries, and a theater in the county. Kilmarnock's cultural and commercial center is broad Bank Street. Nearby is John Finnie Street, another important artery of the city. Its main attractions are historic mansions, which are valuable examples of fine Victorian style in architecture.

Just a few steps away from John Finnie Street and the Burns Monument are shady alleys of Kay Park. On the way to it, you will certainly stumble upon the city theater building and the museum's repository called the Dick Institute. The exhibition hall was named after its benefactor - James Dick, a native of Kilmarnock who spent most of his life in Australia. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The museum complex operates in the city since 1901. A few years later it burned down, then restoration work was carried out within its walls, and during the Second World War, the Dick Institute received hundreds of wounded, having become a military hospital for many months. Today, the museum exhibits are kept under one roof with a library and a gallery. What else is East Ayrshire interesting for? Of course, for its love for golf. Such a small town as Kilmarnock has as many as twenty courses! Moreover, local schools teaching this traditional sport of English nobles are among the best in the world! Among Kilmarnock's many private schools, there are also municipal clubs, which can be attended by anyone. First of all, these include "Annanhill” located on Irvine Road, “Caprington” on Air Road, and “Doon Valley” country school.

Well, if spending a few hours on neatly trimmed lawns is not part of your plans, feel free to go to Country Park having centuries of history. Amidst its ancient giant trees lies the territory of Dean Castle built in the middle of the 15th century by the Boyd family. Today, Country Park's forested area is recognized as a nature reserve. Its caretakers made every effort to increase the number of red squirrels, whose population has been dramatically reduced over the past decades.

With the onset of winter, when oak crowns are covered with snow sparkling in the cold sun, life in the park calms down. The number of visitors is decreasing day by day, and townspeople are eagerly waiting for the Christmas holidays. Christmas is a special holiday in the UK. On Christmas Eve, like millions of Christians around the world, residents of Kilmarnock gather at one table. Quiet city streets are being filled with local children's chatter only by the next day's evening.