This lovely statue of Robert Burns and his printer, John Wilson (who printed the first edition of…read moreBurns poems close to this very spot) was unveiled in the 1990s by Princess Anne. Sandy Stoddard was the sculptor, whose other works include the statue of David Hume on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh and the sculptured friezes in Buckingham Palace in the Queen's Gallery. This fine statue can be found just opposite the 'Burns Shopping Mall' and is well worth a look if you're in the town.

I often walk past this attractive memorial fountain, which is found in Kay Park, on my way to town…read more It was erected by McDowall Steven & Co Ltd in 1902, is painted cast iron on a stepped base and decorated on all four sides. There are lions' heads and deep water bowls with ornamental taps on each side. On the north and south facings there are panels with the relief inscription, Presented to his native town by ex Baillie James Craig of Hillhead and Dean in Commemoration of the Coronation of King Edward and Queen Alexandra 1902. On the east (main) side, there is an E&R crown with a bust of King Edward VII; on the west (rear) side, another A&R crown and a bust of Queen Alexandra, and on the south side is the maker's name plaque. On the top there's a gilded falcon and crown resting on thistles.

This statue of Johnnie Walker, one of the men who 'put Kilmarnock on the map', was sculpted by…read moreAlexander 'Sandy' Stoddart. Stoddart was born in Edinburgh in 1959 and has been 'Her Majesty's Sculptor' in Scotland since 2008. He has been quoted as saying, My great ambition is to do sculpture for Scotland, and he has achieved this mainly through his large monuments to figures from the country's past. John Walker (1805-1857) was a grocer, but, although his name was given to the spirit, his son, Alexander, became more important in its history. A terrible flood in the town in 1852 destroyed all the Walker stock and, when Alexander afterwards went into the family business, he persuaded his father to give up the grocery trade and to start selling whisky instead. The family's blend of spirit was first known as Walker's Killme Whisky and it quickly became extremely popular, thanks to Alexander, and later, his own son, also named Alexander. Between them, they made the Johnnie Walker Whisky a common name worldwide and were also responsible for introducing many other blends and mixes of the spirit. In 2009, the world's largest distiller, Diageo, announced that it was closing the Kilmarnock plant, where more than 700 people were employed. It actually shut down on March 23rd, 2012 and the link between the firm and Kilmarnock came to an end after 192 years. The last bottle made was brought out to a single piper's lament. A song was especially written for the sad occasion, and the lyrics included, The great striding man knows we're his best fan but Killie's no part o' Diageo's plan. All employees and, indeed, the whole town, mourned the end of an era.

This little hut has been converted into a lovely little cafe, which has been redecorated in recent…read moremonths, and provides excellent hospitality. Hot food and drinks are always available, the baked goods and treats are scrumptious and they serve high tea on Tuesdays. Our group meets here for a private function every Saturday afternoon, and it is a very comfortable and welcoming venue where we are treated with kindness and generosity at all times. I would highly recommend this little place for a local outing to Kilmarnock as it is off the beaten path, and located in a back lane away from the busy cafes in the High Street. The prices are very affordable, and this is a great option for anyone with a small budget.

Thanks for all you did with regards my dads funeral. The organisation and the 24hr support you…read moreprovided meant that we could deal with what could otherwise have been a distressful time for my family

Local family run computer store. prices are slightly higher than your high street competitors…read morehowever you are paying for the personal touch and knowledge when buying from this company. They sell computers and accesories and also repair computers. Theyve fixed one of my computers and estimate of cost was more or less spot on along with timeframe quoted. Worth a visit if you need a repair or new computer

I wouldn't have found this place if it hadn't been recommended to me by some of the staff in Marks…read moreand Spencer in Kilmarnock. They take clothes there for repairs and alterations and explained that, not only is the work always of the highest standard, but probably cheaper than anywhere else. What higher recommendation could you ever need?!! Almost needless to say, I took some clothes straight down to the shop (which you'll find just round the corner from 'Subway' through the door on the left and up the stairs) and left them (along with a deposit) with a friendly lady there. A few days later I went back to pick up the clothes, which were beautifully repaired, and to pay the balance of a few pounds. Certainly cheap for such professional work and I shall definitely return when I need any more sewing done!

I walk past this monument several times a week on my way to…read moreand from town and became very curious about it so I did some research! It's found at the north end of Kay Park and was the work of Charles Benham Grassby (1834 -1910). Although he originated in Hull, he moved to Scotland around 1864 and worked on important commissions throughout Glasgow and beyond. Built in 1885, this is a tall Corinthian stone column on a square plinth which actually used to have a graceful 'Statue of Liberty' on the top! Very unfortunately, she blew down and was smashed during a terrible storm in 1936 but was never replaced. (I think this is a great pity and would be a perfect opportunity for a local benefactor to grace it with something new, appropriate to the town) There were also steps at one time on either side but they were eventually removed. The monument commemorates a public gathering held in Dean Park on the 7th December, 1816, which was protesting against the voting system in the town. About 6,000 people (from a population of 13,000) attended to campaign for Parliamentary reform and representation for working class people. Astonishingly, just one man in Kilmarnock was eligible to vote! The whole of the county of Ayrshire had only 156 votes. Local people, Alexander McLaren, Thomas Baird, John Kennedy, Archibald Craig and John Burt all gave speeches which were afterwards published and sold to raise funds. McLaren and Baird were duly arrested for wickedly and feloniously printing, selling, publishing and circulating the said tract or statement. They were imprisoned in Edinburgh for six months and sadly both died shortly after their release. Craig and Kennedy were imprisoned but subsequently released without charge and they emigrated to America. John Burt also left the country but I couldn't find out where he relocated. In 1885, Lord Rosebery unveiled the monument. The Melbourne Age wrote, It is only right that posterity should treasure the names of Alexander McLaren and Thomas Baird. These men do not belong to Scotland alone. Wherever the British race is planted in the enjoyment of constitutional liberties, their memory ought to be cherished. A plaque on one side of the monument reads, To the memory of Captain Thomas Baird and Alexander McLaren, as also John Burt, John Kennedy, Archibald Craig and other Kilmarnock pioneers of Parliamentary reform who, in the early part of the 19th Century, devoted themselves with unselfish zeal to the cause of the people. Erected by public subscription 1885.