Editing East Ayrshire (section)

==History==
{{Further|History of Scotland|Ayrshire}}

===Early settlements===
The area which is now East Ayrshire features indications of early settlement dating as far back as 397. The presence of the Dragon Stone in [[Darvel]], along with cup and ring markings near to the [[Ballochmyle Viaduct]] at [[Mauchline]], indicate early occupation and settlement in and around East Ayrshire. The area's first permanent settlement is said to date from the expansion of Christianity in Scotland, after St Ninian established a church at Whithorn.<ref name="Local history">{{cite web |title=Local history |url=https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/TourismAndVisitorAttractions/LocalHistoryAndHeritage/LocalHistory.aspx |website=www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk |publisher=East Ayrshire Council |access-date=11 February 2024}}</ref>

===13th–15th century===
{{further|Battle of Loudoun Hill}}
[[File:Trig Point and Battle Plaque - geograph.org.uk - 818532.jpg|thumb|right|Battle plaque, marking the location of the [[Battle of Loudoun Hill]] in 1307]]

East Ayrshire is home to a number of towers, castles and other structures which were constructed between the 13th–15th century. Many of the areas castles played a prominent role, largely in part due to barons being at the peak of military and political powers. Many of the barons were involved in wider Scottish politics and affairs, in particular, resistance to the advances of [[Edward I]] towards Scotland.<ref name="Local history"/> Prominent Scottish independence figure [[William Wallace]] has close connections with East Ayrshire. The Wallace family had a castle at Riccarton, later part of Kilmarnock, as well as his surprise attack on the English at [[Loudoun Hill]] in 1297. Wallace is also associated with Lockhart's Tower in the town of [[Galston, East Ayrshire|Galston]]. Lockhart's Tower was largely rebuilt during the middle ages, and is commonly referred to as Barr Castle presently. Wallace is said to "have made a daring escape" from Lockhart's Tower at one point.<ref name="Local history"/>

During the [[First War of Scottish Independence]], the areas Loudoun Hill was the scene of a Scottish victory over the English during the [[Battle of Loudoun Hill]] on 10 May 1307. The battlefield at Loudoun Hill is currently under research to be included in the [[Inventory of Historic Battlefields in Scotland]] and protected by [[Historic Scotland]] under the Scottish Historical Environment Policy of 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/heritage/battlefields/battlefieldsunderconsideration.htm |title= Inventory battlefields|publisher=Historic Scotland | access-date=2012-04-12}}</ref>

===17th century===

During the 17th century, the [[Covenanters]] were particularly active in the East Ayrshire area, as well as along Scotland's west coast where they began promoting ''[[National Covenant]]''. During this period, a significant number of Covenanters died as a result of advocating their beliefs.<ref name="Local history"/> In order to commemorate those lost, a number of sites and monuments in East Ayrshire were erected, including Fenwick Kirk Yard, the [[Laigh Kirk, Kilmarnock|Laigh Kirk]] in Kilmarnock, Galston Kirk Yard, Loudoun Old Parish Kirk near Galston, Newmilns Keep and Kirkyard, Threepwood near Galston, Lochgoyne Farm above Fenwick, Priesthill Farm near Muirkirk, Mauchline, Sorn, Cumnock and Airds Moss near Cumnock. In 1648, [[Mauchline]] was the location of a battle between the Covenanters and Royalists, known as the Battle of Mauchline Muir. A Covenanters Memorial was erected in Loan Green in Mauchline, commemorating the five martyrs who were hanged at the site in 1685.<ref name="Local history"/>

During the 17th century, the establishment of 'Burghs of Barony' titles evolved. Many towns in modern day East Ayrshire were granted charters which allowed them to use the newly created title. Such towns and settlements which were granted Burgh of Barony status included [[Newmilns]] in 1491, [[Auchinleck]] in 1507, [[Cumnock]] in 1509, [[Kilmarnock]] in 1592 and Riccarton in 1638. With the settlements using the newly granted titles, the settlements were said to have "flourished and prospered after the granting of their Charters, with lively trade in agriculture, livestock and textiles".<ref name="Local history"/>

===18th–19th century===
[[File:The Jougs in Kilmaurs, East Ayrshire. 1900.jpg|thumb|right|The Jougs in [[Kilmaurs]] in 1900, served as the council chamber for the Burgh of Kilmaurs]]

The arrival of the 18th century saw economic prosperity arrive in the area, with the main hub for industry arguably being Kilmarnock. During the 18th and 19th centuries, East Ayrshire became one of the industrial powerhouses of the expanding [[British Empire]]. Largely it was textile production which dominated the industrial expansion in the area, with other industries including muslin, cotton, blankets, carpets and woollen goods being produced in Kilmarnock. Other settlements, such as Stewarton, became known internationally its manufacturing of bonnets, and the Irvine Valley region had become renowned for its specialised lace industry.<ref name="Local history"/>

During this period, coal mining was considered an important economic asset across the area, particularly in communities such as [[Dalmellington]] and [[Patna]]. Additionally, iron making was developed at locations such as at Dunaskin in the Doon Valley, ultimately in which all were contributed to the importance of industry in East Ayrshire. The areas strength in industry and manufacturing allowed other sectors to develop in many parts of East Ayrshire, including the manufacturing of railway rolling stock in Kilmarnock which would later become exported internationally.<ref name="Local history"/>

===Strathclyde Regional Council===
{{main|Strathclyde Regional Council}}
{{further|Ayrshire}}

In May 1975, the county council was abolished and its functions were transferred to [[Strathclyde Regional Council]]. Subsequently, the county area was divided between four new districts within the two-tier [[Strathclyde]] [[Local government areas of Scotland 1973 to 1996|region]]: [[Cumnock and Doon Valley]], [[Cunninghame]], [[Kilmarnock and Loudoun (district)|Kilmarnock and Loudoun]] and [[Kyle and Carrick]]. The Cunninghame district included the [[Isle of Arran]], [[Great Cumbrae]] and [[Little Cumbrae]], which had until then been administered as part of the [[County of Bute]].

The former Kilmarnock and Loudoun District Council was [[twin towns|twinned]] with [[Sukhumi]], [[Abkhazia]]. Following a review of such links in 2005, East Ayrshire continues the link as a friendship link.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-09-05 |title=TOWN TWINNING UPDATE - Report by Depute Chief Executive/Executive Director of Corporate Support |url=http://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/content.asp?URL=%2Fcrpadmmin%2Fagendas%2Fmembers%2Fsept%202005%2Ftown%20twinning%20update%20-%207%20september%202005.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807023015/http://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/crpadmmin/agendas/members/sept%202005/town%20twinning%20update%20-%207%20september%202005.pdf |archive-date=2011-08-07 |access-date=2010-05-11 |website=East Ayrshire Council}}</ref>

===East Ayrshire Council===
{{main|Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994}}
[[File:East Ayrshire Council Flowerbed and welcome sign.jpg|thumb|right|East Ayrshire was established in 1996, with Kilmarnock becoming its [[administrative centre]]]]

East Ayrshire, and its associated political body, [[East Ayrshire Council]], was created in 1996 under the [[Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994]], which replaced Scotland's previous local government structure of upper-tier regions and lower-tier districts with unitary council areas providing all local government services. East Ayrshire covered the combined area of the abolished [[Kilmarnock and Loudoun (district)|Kilmarnock and Loudoun]] and [[Cumnock and Doon Valley]] districts, and also took over the functions of the abolished [[Strathclyde]] Regional Council within the area.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994|year=1994|chapter=39|accessdate=3 January 2023}}</ref> The area's name references its location within the [[shires of Scotland|historic county]] of [[Ayrshire]], which had been abolished for local government purposes in 1975 when Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Cumnock and Doon Valley, and Strathclyde region had been created.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973|year=1973|chapter=65|accessdate=29 December 2022}}</ref>

In April 1996 the two-tier system of [[Local government areas of Scotland (1973–1996)|regions and districts]] was abolished and Ayrshire was divided between the [[Subdivisions of Scotland|unitary council areas]] of East Ayrshire (covering the area of the former Kilmarnock & Loudoun District and Cumnock & Doon Valley District), [[North Ayrshire]] (covering the area of the former Cunninghame District Council) and [[South Ayrshire]] (covering the area of the former Kyle and Carrick District). There are many early settlements within East Ayrshire. There are many early settlements within East Ayrshire. The [[Burns Monument, Kilmarnock|Burns Monument Centre]] and [[Dick Institute]] (both in Kilmarnock) are notable museums and cultural venues.

In 2017, East Ayrshire Council was named as the UK Council of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/news/article/east-ayrshire-sets-the-gold-standard-at-iese-awards|title=East Ayrshire named UK Council of the Year 2017 - East Ayrshire Council News|date=5 April 2017|website=www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk|access-date=7 December 2017}}</ref> In 2016, East Ayrshire Council was awarded and recognised for its recycling and resource management.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/news/article/national-recycling-awards-2016|title=National Recycling Awards 2016 - East Ayrshire Council News|date=13 July 2016|website=www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk|access-date=7 December 2017}}</ref>