Galston - Situated in a mining area, 5 miles east of Kilmarnock. Galston is also one of three lace-making towns in the local area.

Historically Galston has been linked to William Wallace and Robert the Bruce and the Galston coat of arms represents the battle they fought after a Crusade against the Moors

Although Galston today has some anicient sites of interest the landscape is marked by large estates built in the 1970 when it was a coal mining town.

Irvine - 8 miles west of Kilmarnock on the coast is this ancient Royal Burgh town. The port was originally the main trade link between Scotland and Ireland, until the development of Port Glasgow. Local attractions include the Seagate Castle, Scottish Maritime Museum and Glasgow Vennel. Robert Burns lived in Irvine between 1781 and 1783, during which time he learnt flax dressing. A statue of the poet now stands on the Town Moor.