Kilmarnock Home Page Kilmarnock is the largest town in Ayrshire, situated seven miles inland from the coast. The success of Robert the Bruce and his loyal supporters at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, saw the lands of Kilmarnock awarded to his most faithful clans. The Boyd’s built Dean Castle to the north of Kilmarnock, Craufurd’s built Craufurdland Castle to the northeast, Cunningham’s built castles to the north at Kilmaurs and south at Caprington, and the Mure’s built Rowallan Castle to the north. Estates formed or expanded at that time, allowed the town to grow rapidly, as they employed many workers to cultivate the land for growing crops, vegetables, and fruit. Kilmarnock became known for Scottish bonnet making from 1647, and later for carpet manufacturing, some of which were laid in the finest homes throughout the world. The town was created a Royal Burgh by Charles II in 1672. One of the worlds most famous whiskey producers was born in Kilmarnock in 1805, named John Walker. Walker built up an Italian warehouse, grocery, and wine and spirits shop on the High Street in Kilmarnock, where he sold his own brand of whiskey, named Walkers Kilmarnock Whisky. His son, Alexander Walker, was credited with blending their Old Highland Whisky in about 1867, that was re-named Johnnie Walker Black Label in 1909, one of the most famous brands of whisky around the world to this day. The Johnnie Walker whiskey was made around Scotland, at various distilleries, then taken to Kilmarnock to be blended. Today, Kilmarnock centre is popular for its shops, cafes, bar/diners and restaurants.
Posted on: Tue, 05 Nov 2013 16:01:02 +0000