Kilbirnie
Kilbirnie (Gaelic: Cill Bhraonaigh) is a small town of 7,642 inhabitants situated in the Garnock Valley area of North Ayrshire, on the west coast of Scotland. It is around 20 miles (30 km) south-west of Glasgow and approximately 10 miles (16 km) from Paisley and Irvine respectively. Historically, the town built up around the flax and weaving industries before iron and steelmaking took over in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The suburb of Kilbirnie in the New Zealand capital of Wellington is named after the town.
Get in
By bus
There is no main bus station in Kilbirnie. However, regular buses travelling to and from Ardrossan, Beith, Dalry, Glasgow, Irvine and Kilwinning pass through the town. You can plan bus routes via Travelline Scotland.
By car
The main approaches to Kilbirnie are the following:
- from Glasgow on the M8 and A737
- from Edinburgh on the M8 or M9 motorways
- from Stirling and all points north and east on the M80, A736 or A811
- from London on the M1 and M6 motorways
By train
Kilbirnie is served by the Glengarnock railway station on the Ayrshire Coast Line. It is a 25 minute walk from Glengarnock to Kilbirnie. Regular train services run through the station from Glasgow Central and can include stops at Ardrossan, Ayr, Largs, Paisley, Prestwick and Troon.
Get around
On foot
The centre of Kilbirne is pedestrian-friendly. As you move out of the town centre, all areas have proper pavements, and most major junctions have pedestrian crossings.
See
- 1 Kilbirnie Auld Kirk, Dalry Road, KA25 6HY. Sunday service at 11.00am. Kilbirnie Auld Kirk is a Church of Scotland congregation on Dalry Road (at Kirkland Road). The original nave dates from 1470, with a two-stage bell tower added twenty years later. Aisles were added in 1597 for the Cunninghames of Glengarnock and in 1642 for the Crawfords. A transept and new entrance front were added in 1903-05. Open July and August, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 2.00-4.00pm or by arrangement for visits or tours.
- 2 Kilbirnie Loch. A freshwater Loch situated in the floodplain between Kilbirnie, Glengarnock and Beith. It runs south-west to north-east for almost 2 km. Activities include angling, bird watching and water skiing.
- 3 Glengarnock Castle. 15th century ruins
Do
- 1 Kilbirnie Place Golf Course, Largs Road, KA25 7AT, ☏ +44 1505 683398, kilbirnie.golfclub@tiscali.co.uk. Kilbirnie Place Golf Club is an 18 hole par 69 parkland course. It's relatively short length of some 5,500 yards is compensated by tricky greens, and natural hazards. Having enjoyed your round you can relax with a drink and bite to eat in their friendly clubhouse. The ruins of the Barony and Castle of Kilbirnie can also be seen from the course.
Buy
- 1 Lime Tree Larder, Auchenclouigh Farm, KA25 7LJ (Lime Tree Larder is just off the A760 Kilbirnie to Largs road, about half a mile out of Kilbirnie on the right hand side, heading towards Largs.), ☏ +44 1505 685258, info@limetreelarder.co.uk. A family run business, that sell what they make themselves on their farm and specialise in award winning artisan ice cream, handmade chocolates, butter tablet, jams and chutneys. Gift hampers and a range of wedding favours are made to order. In addition, they run chocolate making workshops and parties and love having groups and schools visit to learn about the origin of chocolate.
Eat
- 1 Anaya's, 13 Bridgend, KA25 7DJ, ☏ +44 1505 684455. Sun - Thu 16:00 - 22:30 Fri - Sat 16:00 - 00:00. Indian restaurant.
- 2 Galaxy Cafe, 1A Bridgend, KA25 7DF, ☏ +44 1505 685738. Mon - Thu 08:00 - 16:00 Fri 08:00 - 19:30 Sat 10:00 - 16:00. American cafe
Drink
Sleep
- 1 Moorpark House Hotel, Old School Road, KA25 7LD, ☏ +44 1505 683503.
Connect
Phone
Kilbirnie's area code (for landline numbers) is 01505. When calling from outside the UK, drop the leading 0 and use the UK international dial code +44.
Go next
- Largs to reach Great Cumbrae island, or Ardrossan to reach Arran.
- Ayr has the Robert Burns Heritage Area and Culzean Castle.
- Paisley has a fine cathedral and interesting industrial heritage.