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 2022, the estimated population of Muirkirk is 1,324.
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.Curling: An Illustrated History, by David B Smith
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 Jocky Dempster, former professional footballer with Queen of the South F.C., St Mirren and Clyde F.C. Danny Masterton, footballer with Ayr United and Clyde, lived almost his whole life in Muirkirk.The Scotsman, 23 May 2020. Willie Ferguson, professional footballer with Chelsea F.C. and Queen of the South F.C. John Lapraik, poet John Loudon McAdam, who developed his system of road laying in Muirkirk Isobel Pagan (Tibby) - poet Bill Shaw, pre-war footballer Prof Sir Tom Symington, pioneer in Cancer research Alan Gebbie, professional footballer with St Mirren F.C. and Aldershot F.C. Cameron Menzies - darts player
References
External links
Muirkirk's Official Website Muirkirk Enterprise Group