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. She believed that a park was important for bodily health and greatly improved moral issues. She also believed in every town having one and that was her life’s wish. She thought that land should be set aside in every down for the sole purpose of a park. She 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 history of Kilmarnock Scotland, is one steeped rich in history. It is a gorgeous place, with restful and peaceful areas of beautiful scenery. It is home to a railway tram and was one of the earliest known anywhere in the world. Kilmarnock is also home to the well known popular Johnnie Walker Scotch whiskey. The company of Johnnie Walker Scotch has been around a very long time but have made plans to close its doors by the year 2011.

It is also home to the famous and well known historical buildings like, King Street Church and the Town Hall, all which is being rebuilt. Kilmarnock Scotland houses a beautiful 30-acre park, known as Kay Park. This park was given as a gift by a woman named Alexander Kay. It was first opened to the public in 1979 and the Burns Monument can be found located in it.

Kilmarnock Scotland has always been a town with transportation on its mind and the tram lines and power lines put into place are there to prove it. The idea was tossed around to extend the trek of the tram system but with rising costs, the plan never got approval. The town of Kilmarnock also is known for Dean Castle. The castle is home to an impressive armour and weapon exhibit and various musical instruments known as the Van Raalte collection.

The Sandbed Street Bridge is the oldest known surviving bridge in the area. The diversity of the area of Kilmarnock, has contributed to its rich historical past and draws visitors world wide. Kilmarnock is the very essence of Scotland. The town beckons for many to come explore and learn about its rich historical past.

The son and grandson of Johnnie Walker, are the ones that have made the Johnnie Walker Whisky a common name and is responsible for introducing many other blends and mixes of whisky’s. To this day the whisky is still being blended and produced in Kilmarnock; visitors and guests can still see its plant, warehouses and offices. You can buy inexpensive bottles of whisky however, there are just as many very expensive blends and rare whiskys, that the Johnnie Walker line produces.

Each different type and blend of Johnnie Walker whisky, has its own unique coloring and are to be used for different situations and occasions. The rarer the whisky, the rarer the special occasion should be. One can find that there are clubs and societies built entirely for the individual that is an avid fan of the brand. From the time the original Johnnie Walker was around to present day, the whisky company contributes and puts back into its loyal buyers. They host many popular golf tournaments and championships and also are proud sponsors of many sports and their teams and such.

The original Johnnie Walker plant in Kilmarnock, Scotland, plans to close its doors by 2011 and opens it’s new plant doors in Leven, Fife and Shieldhall in Glasgow. Many who are avid fans of the whisky and its maker, are against the change and a very public campaign and outcry have started to preserve the original home of the whisky and it;s tie to its famous maker. The government has even inducted itself into the endeavor. They have found that it is indeed part of their heritage as well and its popularity can only be preserved if they take action as well.

The railway was opened in 1812, and was only a system of horse-drawn railway carriages, but it had been carrying individuals prior. It was not licensed to transport passengers, but the railway found a way past this stipend, by charging individuals wishing to use the system for travel. They would weight them and according to how much they weighed, would charge them the same rates as freight. This railway was later Scotland’s first steam powered train. In the year of 1846, the railway system was shut down for a short stint, allowing the system to improve and modernize its tracks. Today, the railway system is still in working order and transports passengers on a regular basis.

The name Troon is derived from a Celtic word “Trwyn” and means point or head of land. The name is fitting as the land is centered in a somewhat crescent shape. During the late 1800s, the area of Troon had a name as one of the top ten most popular ports that were coal regulated in the country of Britain. The coal industry in Troon, eventually declined when the Ayshire fields of coal came into focus. After that, the harbor of Troon continued to stay active none the less.

The area known as Kilmarnock, is the inland’s largest settlement of people. Kilmarnock is known for the epicenter for most of its industry. Both Kilmarnock and Troon are very attractive areas for tourist and individuals that wish to visit a place that has much to offer in a historic element and holds on to its past, yet is very much modernized in many ways.

“Killmernock Castle, it is a staitly faire ancient bulding arysing in tuo grate heigh towers and bult arround courtewayes vith fyne low buildings. It [sic] is veill planted and almost environed vith gardens, orchards, and a parke, it belonged first to ye Locartts, Lordes thereof, then to the Lord Soulis, and now the chieffe duelling almost for 300 zeirs of ye Lords Boyde.”

It is a 14th century defensive ‘keep’ structure similar to Craigmillar Castle, and located in a dean (a wooded glen) at the meeting of the Borland and Craufurdland Waters (now Kilmarnock Water) about a mile north-east of Kilmarnock.

The Keep – which is thought to contain earlier work from c.1350 – was built c.1460. Being a defence structure, the walls are 3 metres thick, with battlements at the top.

The Gatehouse, with two rounded towers, loophole gun ports and half-leaded glass windows, was built 1935-36 and is similar to that at Rowallan Castle, built in 1567.

The Palace was built by Lord Boyd c.1467 when he was raised to the Peerage. The two seriously eroded coats of arms carved on the west gable are those of Princess Mary, sister of King James III, and Thomas Boyd, Earl of Arran.

In 1735 the Palace was gutted by fire and was abandoned for nearly 200 years. The estate and the castle was sold in 1748 by James Boyd, son of the Earl, to William Cunningham, 13th Earl of Glencairn. His son James, the 14th Earl of Glencairn, sold the estate to Henrietta, ‘the rich Miss Scott’, eldest daughter of General John Scott of Balcomie, Fife in 1786. Henrietta married the Marquis of Titchfield – later the 4th Duke of Portland – in 1795. The Kilmarnock Estate inheritance passed to Henrietta’s daughters, her direct descendants.

One of her daughters, Lady Lucy Cavendish-Bentinck, married Charles Austus Ellis, the 6th Lord Howard de Walden, in 1828. When she died in 1899 her grandson and direct descendant, Thomas Evelyn Ellis, the 8th Lord Howard de Walden and 4th Lord Seaford, inherited the Kilmarnock Estate and the Castle. He added Scott to his name, becoming Thomas Evelyn Scott-Ellis. The genealogy of Lord de Walden can be seen here.

Lord Howard de Walden, with architect Henry Brown of Kilmarnock and later with Dr. James Richardson, Inspector of Ancient Monuments (and expert on Scottish historic architecture) restored the Keep by 1908 and the Palace by 1946. The 8th Lord de Walden (pictured right from a portrait in the Great Hall) died in November 1946, aged 66 years.

John Osmael Scott-Ellis, the 9th Lord Howard de Walden, gifted the Castle, 40 acres of land and the collection of arms, armour, tapestries and musical instruments to Kilmarnock and Loudoun District Council in 1975. The District Council purchased an additional 160 acres of land in 1976. The Castle opened as a public museum in 1976, and the Country Park development was formally opened in 1980. Lord de Walden died in 1999 at the age of 86.

SUMMARY OF THE DEAN CASTLE AND ESTATE OWNERSHIP

* Locarts; de Soulis, pre 1300.
* Balliol; Robert Bruce, c.1300.
* Boyds, 1316 – 1469.
* The Crown, confiscated for alleged treason, 1469.
* Occupied by Princess Mary, sister of James III, 1469 – 1488.
* The Crown, 1488 – 1503.
* Queen Margaret, wife of James IV, 1503 – 1541 – leased to Boyds.
* The Crown, leased to Boyds 1541 – 1545.
* Boyds, restored by Mary Queen of Scots, 1545 – 1746.
* The Crown, confiscated 1746 – 1748.
* Boyds, restored 1748 – THE BOYD CONNECTION WITH KILMARNOCK ENDS 1748
* Cunningham, Earl of Glencairn 1748 – 1786, bought from Boyds.
* Scott, 1786 – 1795, bought from Glencairn.
* Cavendish-Bentinck, Duke of Portland, through marriage with Henrietta Scott 1795 – 1879.
* Scott-Ellis, Lords Howard de Walden, inherited by descent from Henrietta Scott (1879 – 1975)
* Kilmarnock & Loudon District Council, Castle and acreage gifted by 9th Lord de Walden 1975.
* Property investors, the remaining lands and Barony of Kilmarnock.