Riccarton Inn, Riccarton. ©Roger Griffith
Links to Arts Workers in Kilmarnock and District
Follow this link for Kilmarnock tourist information.
The Dean Ford over the Kilmarnock Water
Members of the East Ayrshire Youth Theatre. Photograph ©East Ayrshire Council
A modern take on the traditional stage school, participants of EAYT devise and perform their own new plays, comedies and adaptations by working with specialist writers, composers, set and costume designers.
Up to date theatre and acting skills form the basis of the work, as well as developing confidence, meeting new friends and having fun.
In EAYT’s inaugural year, it has already received national acclaim, by being chosen to perform the finale performance at Scotland’s Promote Youth Theatre festival in Perth, a recognition sought by stage schools across the country. EAYT have been chosen for the second year running to participate in the National Theatre Exchange project.
EAYT is truly a model of excellence for other stage schools to aspire to.
For further information please follow this LINK
Welcome to the stronghold of the Lords of Kilmarnock, Dean Castle, one of Ayrshire’s greatest free attractions.
The Castle takes its name from ‘The Dean’ or wooded valley – a common place name in Scotland. The original keep dates from around 1350 with the Palace being added around 110 years later.
Dean Castle Palace, Kilmarnock.
Steeped in history and now displayed with historic weapons, armour and early musical instruments, Dean Castle was once the home of the powerful Boyd family. If you visit you will find out about their connections with William Wallace and Robert the Bruce! The 9th Lord Howard de Walden gifted the castle to the town of Kilmarnock in 1975, including its magnificent collections.
You can explore parts of the castle and its grounds at your own pace, or take one of the free guided tours to see the rest of the rooms and displays. You can try on armour, wield a sword or play a musical instrument or start your own battle in our play area’s toy castle.
Afterwards, enjoy a stroll around the country park, visit the Pet’s Corner, picnic sites, adventure play area and Visitor Centre.
Castle open all year
7 days a week, 11am to 5pm
(closed Christmas and New Year bank holidays)
Admission Free ~ Free Parking Opening Hours
Open Access to Great Hall
Guided Tours, Country Park, Rangers Service,
Visitor Centre,
Tea Room, Field Centre
For further information please follow this LINK
Nearly mile long, John Finnie Street was laid out in 1864. It provided a grand thoroughfare for the town linking the newly built sheriff courthouse in the south with the railway station to the north.
John Finnie Street looking North towards the Railway Station, February 2010 ©Mike Bailey
The street was remarkable for the large number of substantial public and commercial buildings created in a variety of styles with the common materials of Ballochmyle sandstone and Roofing Slates. Although some buildings are in poor condition and others derelict, parts of the street retain the late Victorian grandeur typical of a flourishing burgh largely dependent on manufacturing.
Most buildings in the street have listed status and, as a group, have been accorded an 'A' listing.
It is interesting to contrast this street with the main thoroughfares of the neighbouring burghs of Irvine and Ayr in terms of both building style and urban layout.
Art and Craft at the Wellington Gallery
The Wellington Gallery was established in 1981 but has a longer history selling and framing pictures as part of the diverse firm of W & W Stevenson and developed from a lifelong passion for art within the family. Today they still sell paintings and prints, alongside art & craft materials, with the family involvement still at the core of the business.
The Wellington Gallery is based in Kilmarnock. The gallery has a wide range of original paintings and prints, mainly by Scottish artists. They also offer regular exhibitions of Art and Craft in addition to their picture framing service and a wide selection of art materials and needlework supplies.
The Wellington Gallery
13 Wellington Street,
Kilmarnock
Monday- Saturday, 9am - 5pm.
Free entry.
For further information, please follow this LINK
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Kilmarnock Railway Viaduct
©Mike Bailey
Kilmarnock Portland Street from the Cross ©Mike Bailey
A view of Kilmarnock Cross, East Ayrshire, from Scotland in 1840
Cheapside leading to Bank Street and the Laigh Kirk, Kilmarnock. ©Mike Bailey
Former George Hotel and the Portland Arch.
9.17am from Dumfries arrives at Kilmarnock Station, January 2010.
The Grand Hall, Palace Theatre and the Albert Tower from London Road, February 2010 ©Mike Bailey
The Dick Institute shares a building with the public library and reference library Services. There are two Contemporary Art Galleries with a regularly changing programme of exhibitions. The upper floor is devoted to museum displays of Local and Industrial History, Fine Art and Natural Sciences. This area is fully accessible via the lift in the Young People’s Gallery or the main staircase.
The contemporary art gallery is located on the ground floor, offering regularly changing touring exhibitions. There are frequent gallery talks and workshops which accompany many of the exhibitions. The adjacent Young People’s Gallery is programmed by the young consultants – a group of young people who are interested in the visual arts and meet regularly to discuss the gallery programme.
The North Museum Wing on the upper floor has been refurbished and displays an array of animals, birds, rocks and fossils. Everything on view is taken from the museums permanent collections and some objects are available to touch and handle.
The South Museum wing is devoted to the history of East Ayrshire’s communities, covering local industry and social history. In this area the development of local town and villages is explored.
Amongst the unusual objects on display are the Kilmaurs Fire Engine dating from 1830, and the ancient and mysterious Soulis Cross - recently renovated by museum staff.
The Art Galleries and Museum are open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 5pm;
closed Sundays, Mondays and Public Holidays. From time to time the gallery areas may be closed to allow exchange of exhibitions
For further information please follow this LINK
Burns Monument Centre, Kay Park
The 30 acre Kay Park was purchased, laid
out, and gifted to Kilmarnock by local insurance broker Alexander Kay.
Opened
in 1879, the park housed, until the recent fire, the red sandstone monument
to Robert Burns. The statue was unveiled on 9th August 1879 by Colonel
Alexander of Ballochmyle, before the largest number of spectators Kilmarnock
had ever witnessed. The Museum building was in the Scottish Baronial style.
It consisted of 2 storeys and a tower, the total height being 80 feet.
Much of the monument was destroyed by fire in 2004 but the famous statue
survived intact. It underwent an extensive cleaning and restoration programme
in 2008 and was returned to its sandstone surroundings and new courtyard
setting to form the centrepiece of the Burns Monument Centre.
For further information, please follow this LINK
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Kilmarnock Cross lies at the heart of the old town. In "Rambles Round Kilmarnock" (1875) Archibald R Adamson wrote "Kilmarnock Cross is most spacious, although of a most peculiar form, having no less than seven streets branching off it. In the centre stands a marble statue of Sir James Shaw, who rose from a humble position to that of Lord Mayor of London".
Kilmarnock Cross, February 2010 ©Mike Bailey
The Cross remained as the central point of Kilmarnock for much of the 20th century but was significantly altered with the creation of shopping malls, multi-storey car park and a new bus station in the 1970's. What remains is a nondescript town centre with a standard retail profile. Remnants of the old street patterns remain to the north and west with through traffic excluded from most parts of the town centre.
In recent years, the local authority has made efforts to revive the town centre with public sculpture and popular events.
Centrestage was established in 2005 by Fiona McKenzie and Paul Mathieson, with the aim of allowing anyone in the local community and beyond the opportunity to participate in theatre related activities and projects.
Leadership through the Arts is at the core of all activities at Centrestage, regardless of the age, background or ability of the class member. We develop programmes, partnerships and collaborations that will have a positive impact on the lives of members of our community.
We want Centrestage to be seen as a place where leadership, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities are available. By consistently listening and providing relevant resources, we aim to build strong trust and relationships.
We believe that young people are not a problem to be solved but a vital part of the community and we passionately believe in the leadership potential and ability of youth.
The company has continued to evolve and develop and Centrestage is now a social enterprise with charitable status located at 11 – 13 James Little Street, Kilmarnock
For further information, please follow this LINK
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