Kilmarnock has been world renowned for many things over the years - many of them lost as industrialisation went into decline. Johnnie Walker whisky in bars across the world; BMK carpets on the floors of world-famous hotels, the publishing of Burns' First Edition of poems, and more recently the home of the world beating Killie/Kilmarnock Pie. Ayrshire's finest Kilmarnock Football Club cannot be forgotten either.

All joking aside though, Kilmarnock has had to transition itself from post-industrial decline to a reinvented town acting as a conduit to Glasgow to its north, but retaining and building on its own identity.

Like many towns, seventies modernisation saw the loss of some of its old heart, but far from all of it! The heritage of shopping streets such as Bank Street are still there to be enjoyed. There is a resilience and creativity about the town's businesses. 

On the leisure side, the town is blessed with facilities indoor and out. Dean Castle and its Country Park is possibly the jewel, but the Kay Park and other green give multiple options for escape from concrete. The town has two municipal golf courses and all of the leisure facilities you'd expect - restaurants - chain and independent, multi-screen cinema, indoor and outdoor sports facilities, and a lot more to boot.

The arts are catered for too with the twin stages of the Palace Theatre and Grand Hall situated in the same building in the heart of the town, with the superb ‘Ayrshire Arts Academy’ centre stage. Between them there is a cracking selection of theatre and panto, touring bands and live music, and community musicals to enjoy.

The town is located a half hour drive from the city centre so can benefit from people travelling to or from, and it is the largest of the county's three towns. The M77 brings visitors straight to the town’s environs, there is also a very regular train service to Glasgow, and a slightly less regular one to Troon, Ayr, Stranraer and beyond for the ferry.

It may have its roots in its industrial heritage (and it will never forget them), but it is a forward thinking space with continuous development and growth and is more than worth a visit for shopping, leisure or just a wee donner roon a park!