Lapraik Weekend 2012
Friday 25th May - Saturday 26th MayWorkshops on the Scots Language and
the Scots Language with Scottish Music (School - Friday a.m.)Tickets for the Scots Sang and Crambo-Jingle
can be reserved by calling 01290 661324 or 661335
Tickets for the Scots Sang and Crambo-Jingle
can be reserved by calling 01290 661324 or 661335Young People's Poetry Competition (Saturday a.m.)
Annual John Lapraik Reading (Kirkyard, lunchtime)
World John Lapraik Speaking Competition (p.m.)
Ironworks Institute Clock
The Ironworks Institute (sometimes known as Kames Institute) is the last visible evidence of the coal and iron industries which once existed in Muirkirk.
The Institute was built by William Baird & Co and funded by contributions from the wages of their employees. It's purpose was to enhance the lives of those who worked in the pits and furnaces and be a place of recreation for them and their families.
With the decline of the Iron and Coal industries the Ironworks came under local authority control and became Muirkirk Community Centre. Local authority re-organisations saw the disappearance of Ayrshire County Council, the creation of Strathclyde Region for a period of time and then the passing of control of the Institute to South Lanarkshire Council, which used the building as an outdoors pursuit centre until they had no further use for it.
During the overall period of local authority control the institute clock tower and the clock workings were allowed to fall into disrepair, such that the clock no longer functions. Many local residents have voiced their desire to see the clock restored back to full working condition.
In 2010 Muirkirk Enterprise Group (MEG) applied to the Minerals Trust for a grant to restore the Ironworks Institute Clock. A conditional award was made but the conditions made the award unrealistic and it was not accepted.
In 2012 MEG have indicated their intention to reapply for a grant to enable the clock to be brought back into use, hoping that any conditions applied will be measured and reasonable.
Local Council Elections - Results
East Ayrshire Council
SNP 15 seats - Labour 14 seats
Conservative 2 seats - Independant 1 seatCouncillors Elected for Ballochmyle Ward
McGhee, Neil (Labour) - Primrose, Stephanie (SNP)
Roberts, Jim (SNP) - Shaw, David (Labour)
Muirkirk Pinot Noir
A recent article on "Asia Sentinal" and elsewhere on the web extolled the virtues of a wine grown in Muirkirk Cherry Orchard. However, this was not in the relatively high altitude of Muirkkirk Scotland but down under in New Zealand.
Click here to read more about
Muirkirk Cherry Orchard and Muirkirk Pinot Noir
Muirkirk Enterprise Group
MEG have the following Muirkirk goods available-
Tea Towels & Eco Bags in two sizesMuirkirk Coasters (4 in a pack) £5 per set
Key Rings £1 each - Magnets £2 each
with pictures of Tibbie's Brig, Covenanters' Monument
Macadam's Cairn, Muirkirk Snow Scene, Totem Polies
Miner's Memorial, etc
can feature family photographs
(please contact Alison Meaken)
above available at Moorhead's & the Caravan ParkA new Cookery Book is now on sale
available at Moorhead's price £4.50
