Muirkirk
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Muirkirk (Eaglais an t-Sléibh in Gaelic) 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. The Muirkirk & North Lowther Uplands Special Protection Area was set up to protect the countryside surrounding Muirkirk, which is an area of scenic beauty and environmental importance.
The 2001 census recorded a population of 1,865.
The village developed around its church, which was built in 1631, and was a fertile recruiting ground for the Covenanter movement. 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.
Former inhabitants of Muirkirk include
- John Lapraik, poet and friend of Robert Burns
- John Loudon McAdam, who developed his system of road laying in Muirkirk
- Isobel Pagan (Tibby) - poetess reputed to have written the original version of "Ca' the Yowes"
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