Stewarton

Stewarton is a large town in East Ayrshire, around 6 mile away from Kilmarnock and a population of approximately 6500. Stewarton is known as the Bonnet Toun due to its early role in the production of traditional Scottihs headwear, from as early as the 1400s. The association with bonnet making was resurrected in 1932 with the re-establishment of the Stewarton Bonnet Guild, which dated back to 1590.

Like many areas in Ayrshire, it was a hub for the textile industry in the 19th century and
employed some 2500 people. An establishment of a gas works in 1832 had enabled working hours to extend beyond the availability of daylight, marking the beginning of industrialisation in the town. However, as Stewarton grew it was unusual amongst industrial Scottish towns in one respect: there were no inns. It stayed this way until the early 20th century.

Today the town has a selection of shops, cafes and restaurants and many of the population commute to Glasgow for work.