Home Report Cumnock

Cumnock is a Victorian looking town in East Ayrshire with a population of around 9,100 residents. The town is situated about 15 miles east of Ayr and sits at the confluence of the Glaisnock Water and the Lugar Water. It is about 3 miles southeast of the village of Auchinleck, about 7 miles southeast of Mauchline, 7 miles northwest of New Cumnock and about 16 miles southeast of Kilmarnock. Cumnock is an ancient market town. In more recent times during the industrial revolution, it was an important centre with mining providing much employment to the local population of the time. It was also known for its snuff box industry, as well as textile production.

Today these have been replaced by human and animal food industries as well as a base for the production of fire and rescue vehicles. These provide employment to residents, but many also commute to the nearby settlements of Ayr, Kilmarnock, Auchinleck, Logan, New Cumnock and Glasgow.

In terms of transport links then, Cumnock has its own bus terminal, Cumnock Bus Station, which is operated by both Stagecoach West Scotland and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport. Cumnock is connected to nearby settlements including Kilmarnock, and other smaller settlements such as Mauchline by the A70 road. The A70 also connects Cumnock to other large towns including Ayr. The town has no active railway station of its own, the nearest is to be found a short distance away in Auchinleck.

As for amenities and things to do, there are a variety of places to eat out in Cumnock, and shopping opportunities include the Cumnock Factory Outlet. The centre of the town is home to the magnificent Old Church which was built in 1867 and the Mercat Cross, which dates back to 1703. The 18th-century Dumfries House also draws in many locals and visitors alike annually with its fantastic grounds and gardens. For more choice of shops, attractions and services, residents can travel to Kilmarnock and Ayr which relatively short distances away.

As for local schooling then, Cumnock is home to the largest educational campus in Scotland, the Robert Burns Academy, a new educational campus housing the main Robert Burns Academy secondary school following the merger of Cumnock Academy and Auchinleck Academy, Lochnorris Primary School and Cherry Trees Early Childhood Centre. Netherthird Primary School is the only other primary school in the town. Further education is available close by at Ayrshire College, with its nearest campus in Kilmarnock, and the University of the West of Scotland located in Ayr. The nearby Dumfries House offers a variety of educational programmes and apprenticeships through the Dumfries House Educational Programme created by The Prince’s Trust. The programme offers vocational training and education in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), textiles, outdoor and resilience building, hospitality and horticulture amongst others.