Issue 048
Explore Kilmarnock
Top Stories
Kevin Clifton
At ten years old, Kevin Clifton became obsessed with Baz Luhrmann’s film, Strictly Ballroom.
Explore Kilmarnock
Explore Kilmarnock
nce known for its weavers and carpet markets, Kilmarnock is probably best known for being the original home of Scotch whisky brand Johnnie Walker. But that’s not its only claim to fame.
The Bowie Park Training Facility
Billy Bowie’s commitment to Kilmarnock Football Club has never been in question, but recently
revealed plans for a state of the art training facility on the outskirts of the town is further proof
Mccallum Bagpipes
We’re all familiar with the unique sound of bagpipes, but have you ever thought about how they’re actually made?
Dean Castle
The maid-servant’s foot taps the pedal in time to her heartbeat. Atop the distaff lies golden flax, tied with her favourite ribbon. Her fingers tease the yellow fibres towards the spinning wheel in a gentle motion. What happens next is unknown.
The story of my home town
Kilmarnock remains a friendly, welcoming west coast town. Centred in farmland but with a short trip to the coast or up to Glasgow it is a fine location.
The Kilmarnock Music Scene
Long before we all had PCs and mobile phones, how did the youth fill their time? Well, if I had a Tardis I
would take you back to Kilmarnock in the mid 1980s.
George Duff
When George Duff retired from his sales career in 2014 the last thing he expected to do was set
up a business selling stag heads. Eight years later, Hummingbird Sculptures is thriving and George
couldn’t be happier.
issue 048
The Coral Scottish Grand National
The roar of the 18,000 crowd creates a dramatic soundtrack as up to 30 racehorses gallop round the four mile course of the Coral Scottish Grand National negotiating 27 fences on the way.
PERILS WITH BERYL
There was an emergency when driving to The Woods, a site near Alva, when a red light began flashing on the dashboard. With no handbook and all words on screen in Japanese, I was up a creek without a paddle! A sign with directions to a campervan dealer near Perth saw me swing off the A9 into a forecourt full of impressively luxurious vans. Had I gone through the looking glass? I approached the receptionist in the plush entrance.
WHAT’S ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET LIST?
Travel is firmly back with few if any restrictions left in place. But, having had a few years of people not travelling, I am finding that more and more clients are booking what I call BUCKET LIST EXPERIENCES.
March Hares and Muddy Boots
On a clear day, the striking view of the Ayrshire landscape from Gallowlaw Cairn, outside Newmilns, can take your breath away, as can the walk to reach it. It is an uphill pech for over two miles.
The International Ayr Show
Ayr shorefront is the place to be for this inaugural spectacle taking place on Friday 8th to Sunday 10th September.
Arena Human Resources
“Hands up who likes people!”
My lecturer asked this on day one of my new degree course. I looked around. I wasn’t sure I actually liked people so I kept my hand down.
Fabulous Floors
Gone are the days when we would fully carpet our homes. Remember when carpets in bathrooms were a thing? Thank goodness that trend is over.
inside their home
Sometimes it can seem that taking the easy path in life is the best way to go. Who needs additional stress when you are already juggling family life, work life and all the additional balls that it throws at you?
Two Way Soft & Crispy Spring Lamb
By Hugh Gallagher INGREDIENTS You will need1 whole shoulder of lamb1 rack of lamb1 eggMilkBreadcrumbs Marinade1/2 sprig thyme leaves1 whole garlic bulb (peeled)Salt and pepper50ml olive oilI tbsp Arran mustard Sauce3 tbsp redcurrant jelly1 tbsp tomato pureeSplash lemon juiceSplash Worcester sauceReserved cooking liquid from the shoulder with the fat removed (should have solidified over night)100ml…
Pegu Club
Created in the 1920s at The Pegu Club, an ex-pat gentleman’s club in Rangoon, Burma. The club was named after the Pegu, a Burmese river, and its members were those Britons who were senior government and military officials at the time.
Hystayria
When we talk about Witchcraft Trials, Salem automatically springs to mind, and the 19 people that were executed there in the 17th century. Until very recently, I, an Ayr native had no idea about the brutality that took place in my hometown but, thanks to Ayr North Time Team and their recent theatre production, Hystayria, I’ve learned that 29 women and one man were tortured and sentenced to death in the streets we walk to this day.
In Conversation With: Harvey Gardner, Filmmaker
There is often a moment in the lives of our favourite artists where they find their own voice. Where the inspiration of the artists before them melt into their own thoughts, feelings, style and unique creative practice. For Glasgow born filmmaker Harvey Gardner, this moment was not a bombastic revelation nor a defining moment of trauma. It was a comment from his most trusted audience; his family.
Invited to be Ignited
It’s one of those days. One foot still in winter, a hand grasping for spring like a toddler reaching for sweeties. A liminal day where anything might happen.
A spoonful of sugar…
It was a Sunday morning in August 1975. I was 11 years old. Dad and I always went to church together, but his behaviour that morning was strange.
Rock The Nile
When it comes to a family day out, it doesn’t come much better than Harley’s ‘Rock the Nile’ all day live
music event.
Jerry Taylor
Spring is almost upon us. Soon we shall be gorging on Easter eggs like a dug eating peanut butter, and piling into beer gardens even though it’s still Baltic.
Hannah Macmillan
Ah, finally. The days are getting longer, the mornings brighter. The wind is dropping, the rain is lessening, and everyone’s mood is a little lighter.
Lost and found
I was reading an article recently about the things people had left behind in hotel rooms. This included
a £5,000 bottle of whisky, a 24ct gold photo frame and, most bizarrely of all, two professionally trained sheepdogs.
A day in the life of… a goldsmith
Emma Millar, Goldsmith and Gemstone Setter at Laings Jewellers, has spent the past ten years honing her skills within the industry and is a recent graduate of the prestigious Alexandre School in Antwerp. Her incredible knowledge and skills allow her to add extraordinary elements to bespoke designs at Laings.
MKM
A true success story. That’s MKM Kilmarnock which first opened its building supplies and home improvement branch in the town four and a half years ago, and has rapidly expanded ever since.
Monarch Financial Services
Buying a house can be a daunting experience. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, in need of a bigger
property, or looking to enter the buy-to-let market as an investment, the last thing you want to be worrying about is the mortgage.
Tristan Cole Interiors & Moogal Builders
Tristan Cole Interiors and Moogal Builders are trusted businesses already well established throughout Ayrshire.