The institute first opened its doors in 1901, but the building suffered a serious fire after the eight year from its opening. There was loss also, as far as some collections that were on display. In 1911, it reopened its doors and was even used temporarily as a hospital for World War I. The building has many famous claims to lending itself in time of need as well as preserving many items and wares from years of long ago. The Dick Institute has lovingly giving them a home, where they will forever be enjoyed by their visitors.

Dick Institute is home to two of the finest contemporary Art Galleries, and have many regular, revolving exhibits. The museum has proud displays of many collections and the institute offers a broad range of local history and fare. They hold many events throughout the year and feature many great, famous artists and craftsman. Much of the fine art collection, that is on display now, dates clear back to the early 1800s. Admission to the Institute is totally free and there are many amenities and facilities for the public as well as the disabled.

An actual working replica of the printing press that John Wilson used to print Robert Burns, First Edition in the year 1786, got its first showing at the Dick Institute. There are many things such as this, that you can see when visiting the famous landmark. If you come at the right time, you can also partake of many special events, exhibits and collections, that can be found no where else in the world. By visiting the Dick Institute, you can transcend back into another time and world, much different from the world we live in today.

Since they had raised such a great amount of money, they scraped staying with just their old statue and building plans. They now had the money and means to extend their building of a building worthy of the poet by using an architect. They held a contest to find the most appropriate sculptor to come forth, which would be W.G. Stevenson.

On August 9, 1879, the statue was shown for the first time to the biggest gathering of individuals, this tiny area had ever known. However, in November 2004, the statue and building were partially damaged by a fire. In 2008 the monument was restored and returned to its former glory and was placed with brand new accessories and settings to enhance the Burns Monument Centre. Today, it proudly stands as it once did many years ago.

The monument and statue are the perfect backdrop for any important pictures to be taken, such as weddings, reunions and other special occasions. Alexander Kay, who the park is named after gave the land as a gift to start a 30-acre park for all to enjoy. He believed that a park was important for bodily health and greatly improved moral issues. He also believed in every town having one and that was her life’s wish. He thought that land should be set aside in every down for the sole purpose of a park. He often said that to many times came up, where a town had not thought of, until it was too late, or set aside ample amounts of land for a park.

In 2004, the monument was severly damaged by fire, but has since been restored and the area redeveloped into the Burns Monument Centre.

Atop of Loudoun Hill, one can easily see complete 360 degree views. And this very reason is why the battle of Sir William Wallace against the English took place. He defeated them successfully in the year 1296. On a sloped hillside that sits aside Loudoun Hill, is a signature mound and holds a monument that is dedicated to Wallace.

Loudoun Hill is famous for being an ideal rock climbing trek and many visit there for its sheer beauty. The area is very scenic and is a proud destination for visitors and guest to travel to. Whether it is for its historical value or scenic bounty, everyone who pays homage to the area, leaves with a feeling of awe. The hills height tops out at 1,036 feet and it’s locale is one thing that makes it one of Scotland’s most coveted historical landmarks.

Loudoun Hill was created when a glacier had leveled pretty much the valley surrounding it and Loudoun Hill was left unscathed by the glacier. If you are set on climbing Loudoun Hill, then you had better be pretty fit, as it is very steep on all sides of it’s rocky outcrop. The point of Loudoun Hill that is the steepest, is the one that most avid rock climbers find most appealing. Once you do make it to the top, it is well worth the trek and climb. There are views that leave you breathless and look towards Strathaven and Lanarkshire. If you look the other way, one sees the Irvine Valley stretching out to the Fifth of Clyde and you can see the numerous mountains on the Isle of Arran. The highest mountain peak that can be seen from the top of Loudoun Hill is Goat Fell.

The viaduct is the worlds oldest known surviving railway viaduct. The viaduct, when you first get a glimpse of it, has a medieval feel. With its beautiful light colored stone bricks and old world look and feel, it is ideal for many pictures and paintings. The viaduct was also part of the Kilmarnock Troon railway. This railway and viaduct are a serious must for any railway enthusiasts or one that adores historic landmarks.

The bridge or viaduct was designed by a budding engineer by the name of William Jessop. However, the actual erection of the viaduct was completed by a masonry expert named, John Simpson. It was constructed to help the Duke of Portland transport his horse-drawn carts of coal from the mines to Troon Harbour. When the viaduct was shut down, due to a more modernized version of a viaduct that was built upstream from it.

The Laigh Milton Viaduct has since then, fell to very unstable situations, but a group of Civil Engineers has purchased it and has had it restored. For them to be able to carry out such a restoration, the River Irvine had to be damned for while and they had to take part of it down and reconstruct it. Now, it has an internal infrastructure of solid steel, that does an ideal job of supporting its heavy masonry weight and its arch construction. Any stones in need of replacement, was upgraded as well. They also seen to it, that a metal railing was constructed atop of the viaduct, to allow for the public to cross it without safety concerns. The group heading the restoration, won an award for restoring a structure that was in a state of almost total disrepair.