Muirkirk (Scottish Gaelic: Eaglais an t-Slèibh) is a small village in East Ayrshire, southwest Scotland. It is located on the north bank of the River Ayr, between Cumnock and Glenbuck on the A70.

Muirkirk
Village
Muirkirk main street, showing the junction at the centre of the village
Muirkirk is located in East Ayrshire
Muirkirk
Muirkirk
Location within East Ayrshire
Population1,340 (2022)[1]
LanguageEnglish
Scots
OS grid referenceNS697274
Council area
Lieutenancy area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townCUMNOCK
Postcode districtKA18
Dialling code01290
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament
List of places
UK
Scotland
55°31′19″N 4°04′00″W / 55.52194°N 4.06667°W / 55.52194; -4.06667

Conservation

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The Muirkirk & North Lowther Uplands Special Protection Area was set up to protect the populations of breeding hen harrier (Circus cyaneus), golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria), merlin (Falco columbarius), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and short-eared owl (Asio flammeus).

Population

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As of 2019, the estimated population of Muirkirk is 1,386. [2]

History

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The village developed around its church, which was built in 1631, and was a fertile recruiting ground for the Covenanter movement.

The village partook in curling since at least 1750, and has one of the earliest written accounts of this, by the minister, Rev John Sheppard.[3]

In recent times, the village has fallen into decline due to its geographic isolation and the collapse of its coal and iron industries, but attempts are being made at regeneration through the Muirkirk Enterprise Group which was set up in 1999.

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ "Mid-2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland". National Records of Scotland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  2. ^ "Locality Populations".
  3. ^ Curling: An Illustrated History, by David B Smith ISBN 0-85976-074-X
  4. ^ The Scotsman, 23 May 2020.
  5. ^ "Gebbie Allan Image 1 St Mirren 1935".
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