Kilmarnock, affectionately known as ‘Killie’ throughout Scotland is the second biggest town in Ayrshire and home to a once all-conquering football team. This is not to be confused with Killin, near Perth. The two are wildly different, far apart, and have mountains between them.
Kilmarnock is probably best known for its Football team Kilmarnock FC who were a powerhouse in the early 1960’s when they were Scottish Champions (1964-65) and runners up Four times!
Killie were Scottish Champions in 1965; ahh… those halcyon days before money took over the game.
They do tolerably well today and aren’t involved in the Rangers/Celtic bigotry that other teams wind up on one side or the other of. Historically and all throughout Scotland’s long years, there has always been a divide between the Catholic and the Protestant members of our country. In the old days, Royals killed one another for it. Nowadays we let our differences play out in the form of football.
Asides from their football team. Killie is famous for being the second biggest town in Ayrshire. What’s the first biggest? Ayr of course. You can read about Ayr Toon through our 5 Minutes Spare guide if you are interested to know more. Kilmarnock is the first place to ever publish a work of Robert Burns. It is also the home of the legendary Johnnie Walker whisky brand!
Among all of these claims to fame, the Burgh of Kilmarnock has some awesome sights and sounds that you should really go and visit if you are in the area. So whether you are passing through Kilmarnock or whether you live there – here are our top sights to see!
Kilmarnock Attractions You Ought to See
When passing through Kilmarnock, what are the best bits? We listed some of the top sights you really ought to visit in this Scottish town.
Dean Castle Country Park
Dean Castle has its own wooded country estate with endless acres for you to use. It is a restored 14th-century manor house and tower, all for free. This is a great thing to do in Kilmarnock if you have kids as there are lots of woodland walks to choose from, plenty of garden space for picnics, and even plenty of wildlife for you to spot.
The Dick Institute
Never let anyone say that we Scots have no sense of humour! This poorly named attraction was opened in 1901; it now attracts more than a hundred thousand tourists every year. How? It hosts a combination of leisure facilities, arts and crafts facilities, and a museum, a couple of galleries, a gift shop and a cage. They run filmmaking exhibits, work closely with students in the creative industries, and generally do a lot of good for the community.
They definitely need to reconsider the name – but the Dick Institute is a great place for a family day out, or to soak up some Scottish culture!
The Palace Theatre and Grand Hall
The Palace Theatre is the place to go to in Killie if you want to catch a show. It’s not Broadway – but they do run regular shows throughout the year. At Panto season this theatre is packed out. They also involve themselves heavily in amateur drama in this theatre… a hobby that has thrived in Scotland since around the time of the Second World War.
The New Laigh Kirk
This is the third church that has been built in this area of the same name. As was common in towns like Kilmarnock, settlements in Scotland tended to grow around churches, to save locals the effort of travelling on a Sunday. This particular version of the Laigh Kirk was built in 1802 – but it was believed the first church was built sometime in the 16th century.
Prior to the refurbishment of this church, mass hysteria in the area led to a stampede that killed 29 people. A widespread legend that the lopsided church was going to fall on the parishioners was brought to a head when a falling flake of plaster sent the congregation into a panic. After this, the kirk was torn down and rebuilt… whether or not the spirits remain we could not possibly say.
The Burns Monument Centre
A fair few people run from the Galloway Tourist Route right up to Ayr and then turn inland toward Kilmarnock in order to completely retrace the footsteps of the national bard. The final stop on the Burns tour is the monument centre that can be found in Kilmarnock. If you can, stop by, but if you only have a half-day and no interest in poetry? Head out to Dean Country Park instead.
Robert Burns Statue
Editorial credit: jazman / Shutterstock.com
Where to Eat, Drink or Party in Kilmarnock?
If you are looking for the best family food in Kilmarnock then stop by the Weston Tavern. It is pub food – but pub food executed to a hospitality award-winning level. Locals love it so you may need to book in advance.
If it is fine dining you are after then try WG13. They have an awesome menu as well as some in-meal entertainment and the best cocktails in the area. For somewhere to dance the night away the best club in town is SOMA Kilmarnock. The Garage Leisure Complex is better for the younger ones, though, and contains ten pin bowling, go-karting, and a few other fun activities for the discerning teenager.
When it comes to pubs Killie have a top three. Try the Brass and Granite for a good pint, Fanny by Gaslight for a good laugh, and Memory Lane for a quiet one with great munch.
Other Notable Kilmarnock Days Out
There are far too many things for you to do in Kilmarnock for us to have named them all here – but we are determined to try! Here are some of our other suggestions as to what to do in Kilmarnock!
Things to do with the Kids:
- Jungle Madness Soft Play is an excellent place for smaller children.
- The Swimmer Sculpture – artist Shona Kinloch is renowned throughout the country for these sculptures. They are free to visit.
- The Kay Park – is another place to spend the afternoon wildlife watching or maybe playing some family sports. Although there is no escaping the bard even here!
Rabbie Burns Monument In Kay Park.
Image: Thomas Gilfeather/Shutterstock
Got Five More Minutes?
If you still have time to kill then don’t go anywhere! Except back to our pages of course, where you will find all sorts of interesting ways to kill five minutes productively.
