East Ayrshire
Unitary authority in southwest Scotland, created in 1996 from two
districts of Strathclyde region
Area:
1,269 sq km/490 sq mi
Towns:
Kilmarnock (administrative headquarters), Cumnock, Stewarton, Galston,
Crosshouse
Physical:
Predominantly low lying and undulating in the north, mountainous toward
the south; Loch Doon; rivers Ayr, Irvine; Blackcraig Hill (700
m/ 2,298 ft); Loudoun Hill
Features:
Burns' House Museum, Mauchline; Loudoun Castle Theme Park; Dunaskin
Heritage Museum
Industries:
Textiles, light engineering, food and drink, printing
Agriculture:
Dairy farming, sheep, beef cattle
Population:
(1995) 123,100
History:
At Loudoun Hill, Robert the Bruce defeated 6,000 of the Earl of Pembroke's
men with a force of 600 in 1306.
Economy
Agriculture is an important industry in a predominantly rural area.
However, the area is most notable for its economic problems which
is particularly evident in the many rural towns which have lost
their traditional industrial base of mining or textile production.
Environment
There are 15 Sites of Special Scientific Interest and one country park.
Administrative History
The districts of Cumnock and Doon Valley, and Kilmarnock and Loudoun
were merged to form East Ayrshire in 1996. Prior to 1975, this
area was part of the county of Ayrshire.
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