Mauchline

It is thought that Monks built an abbey in Mauchline, the ruins of which still exist and are known as Hunters Tower or as Mauchline Castle. The area was created a burgh of barony by James IV in 1510 and was granted a further charter in 1610.

Robert Burns lived and worked in Mauchline with his wife Jean Armour, who came from the village, during one of the most productive periods of his career, between 1784 and 1788. Many of Burns' most famous works are believed to have been written whilst he was here, notably The Holy Fair, To a Mouse, and Holy Willie's Prayer. The building in which Robert and Jean resided is now a museum dedicated to the poet and his life - the Burns House Museum.

Follow the Graveyard Trail in the Old Churchyard of St Michael's Church, where
several of the couple's children lie buried, along with the poet's brother and many of his friends and local people immortalised in his work.

Mauchline also contains a bank, library, golf course and a choice of pubs and hotels.