Muirkirk 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.

Conservation

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

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

History

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. 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