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Kilwinning

Though nowadays a continuation of Irvine, Kilwinning was, up until 1975, a separate burgh. Its former name was Segtoune, meaning the “saint’s town”, as it was founded in the 7th century by St Winnin, whom some people associate with St Finnan of Moville, who taught St Columba in Ireland. In the 12th century the great Tironensian Kilwinning Abbey was built on the site, and its ruins still dominate the town centre, though they are not as extensive as those of Ayrshire’s other great abbey, Crossraguel. The tower you see today was built in 1815 and replaced the original medieval one which fell down the year before. Kilwinning Parish Church, which sits within the ruins of the abbey, was built in 1775.

The Ancient Society of Kilwinning Archers is one of the oldest archery organisations in the world. Each year in August it holds the Papingo Shoot, where archers shoot upwards at a target (the papingo) held from a window of the tower. The papingo is usually a wooden pigeon, and such shoots were once common throughout Britain.

A few miles out of town, on the A737, is Dalgarven Mill dating from about 1620. It is now a museum dedicated to country life in Ayrshire.