Kilmarnock Station Community Village - now open

Kilmarnock Station Railway Heritage Trust have now opened the first phase of their Kilmarnock Station Heritage Village. Facilities include;


First Class - a gift shop supplied by local crafters, pupils from local schools and students from Ayrshire College. Opening hours are Mon - Thurs 10am -4pm; Fri 10am -6pm and Sat 10am - 1pm.


Storm In a Tea Cup - serving coffees, Suki teas and a selection of cookies !


The Killie Browser - a book shop with a difference. Sit and browse through the large selection of books, or buy one for £1 and take it home. Donations of books always welcome. Proceeds, as with First Class, go towards funding the ongoing development of the facilities.


The Tower Room - a self contained office space for hire. Killie Browser is also available for hire. rates are excellent at £5 per hour for charities; £ 6 per hour for societies and £12 per hour for businesses.


See www.kilmarnockstation.co.uk for more details.


This is a fantastic community asset which is well worth visiting and supporting.


As well as seeking donations of books, the Trust are looking for volunteers to help in First Class and Storm In A Tea Cup. If you can offer some time please contact Allan Brown via the 'contact us' page on their web site or let KDHG know and we'll put Allan in touch with you.

Guided Heritage Walk - Tuesday 4th August @ 6.30pm

We will be conducting a guided walk around the Kilmarnock Heritage Trail on the evening of Tuesday 4th August 2015.
If you are interested in joining please meet at the new 'Killie Browser' bookshop and 'Storm in a Teacup' café on Platform 1 of Kilmarnock Station from 6pm onwards. We will start the walk at 6.30 and finish approx 8pm in or around Fanny By Gaslight - depending what kind of after walk refreshment you require !
The walk is free of charge but we would welcome donations (amount at your own discretion) towards KDHG funds.

KDHG in the community

In addition to hosting our twelve lectures over the winter months, KDHG takes part in and carries out many projects in the community. Most members are probably not aware of the following –

• KDHG have acted as advisors to the Kilmarnock THI and CARS initiatives for many years. THI, or Townscape Heritage Initiative, provides funding for upgrading, restoration and preservation of commercial and residential properties in and around the John Finnie Street / Bank Street Conservation Area. CARS, Historic Scotland’s Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme also provide funding in this area.

• KDHG have been actively involved in East Ayrshire Council’s Ensign Ewart Memorial Project. Ensign Ewart, as you will know, is famous for capturing the regimental eagle of the 45e Régiment de Ligne at the Battle of Waterloo. He was born in Kilmarnock District in 1769 and is buried on Edinburgh Castle esplanade.

• KDHG is actively involved as advisor in East Ayrshire Council’s World War I Memorial Project which will create a lasting memorial in each of the district’s ‘hub towns’

• KDHG is actively involved in producing a Galston Town Trail.

• KDHG have built a website which is visited in large numbers and which generates a number of enquiries from around the world each month. It has the capacity to evolve into a significant archive hub.

• KDHG has helped the Kilmarnock Station Railway Heritage Trust to take shape and secure funding to regenerate the empty units on the platform area to the benefit of the community. Work has now started.

• KDHG committee member Graham Boyd received the Scottish Civic Trust Award for his work in promoting local history in local schools.


KDHG has had a positive impact in the community since foundation in 1972 and will continue to play an active and leading role going forward.