100-561: Priestland is a village in East Ayrshire , Scotland. It has a population of 121 ( Census 2001 ) and lies on the A71 , around two miles west of Loudoun Hill , ten miles east of Kilmarnock and twenty miles south of Glasgow . It is situated in a valley through which the River Irvine runs and alongside the burghs of Galston , Newmilns and Darvel (with which it borders), forms an area known as
200-495: A day hospital which provided assessment and rehabilitation facilities. East Ayrshire is served by a number of general practice (GP) surgeries under NHS Scotland and a variety of other healthcare services including dental treatment and pharmacies. East Ayrshire has nine secondary schools, forty-three primary schools, four schools which cater for children with additional support needs, thirty-three early education childhood centres and three children's houses. Kilmarnock Academy
300-454: A castle at Riccarton, later part of Kilmarnock, as well as his surprise attack on the English at Loudoun Hill in 1297. Wallace is also associated with Lockhart's Tower in the town of Galston . Lockhart's Tower was largely rebuilt during the middle ages, and is commonly referred to as Barr Castle presently. Wallace is said to "have made a daring escape" from Lockhart's Tower at one point. During
400-427: A crossbowman, and 3d for a foot archer. With the success of the English at Falkirk two years earlier, Edward must have felt in a position to bring Scotland under full control permanently. To do this required further campaigning, eliminating the last opposition and securing castles that were (or would be) centres of resistance. The English took control of Caerlaverock Castle , but apart from some small skirmishes, there
500-471: A day, the defenders of the destroyed castle were allowed to submit; about fifty men surrendered. Meanwhile, while Robert Bruce outwardly maintained his loyalty to Edward, he was secretly advancing his own ambition and, while assisting Edward in the settlement of the Scottish government, on 11 June 1304, with both of them having witnessed the efforts of their countrymen at Stirling, Bruce and William Lamberton made
600-694: A friend, rather than as an enemy. He was facing both excommunication by the Pope for his actions and a possible invasion by the French. Robert the Bruce's defection to the English king's side was not total. He sent a letter to the monks at Melrose Abbey in March 1302 that effectively weakened his usefulness to the English king. Apologizing for having called the monks to service in his army when there had been no national call up, Bruce pledged that, henceforth, he would "never again" require
700-715: A further 5,700 classed as self employed. During this period, East Ayrshire had an unemployment rate of 3.2%, about 1,900 people of the population. The largest category of economic activity in East Ayrshire in 2023 was professional occupations, with an estimated 10,600 people (19.2%) of the East Ayrshire population employed in this sector. Other large sectors for employment across East Ayrshire include skilled trades tccupations (14.0%), caring, leisure And other service occupations (13.3%), elementary occupations (9.0%), Managers, Directors And Senior Officials (7.7%) and process plant and machine operatives (7.4%). Health care in East Ayrshire
800-642: A man as he himself will be willing to answer for". This suggests that Edward suspected Robert was not entirely trustworthy and may have been plotting behind his back. Bruce, as Earl of Carrick and now 7th Lord of Annandale, held huge estates and property in both Scotland and England, and had a claim to the Scottish throne. He also had a large family to protect. In addition to his wife Elizabeth and daughter Marjory, there were his brothers, Edward, Alexander, Thomas and Nigel, his sisters, Christian, Isabel (Queen of Norway) , Margaret, Matilda and Mary, and his nephews Domhnall II, Earl of Mar and Thomas Randolph . If he claimed
900-670: A northern landowner, Andrew de Moray of Petty . Andrew and his father were both captured in the rout after the Battle of Dunbar in April 1296. Andrew the younger was initially held captive in Chester Castle on the Anglo-Welsh border, from which he escaped during the winter of 1296–97. He returned to his father's castle at Avoch on the northern shore of the Moray Firth , where he raised his banner in
1000-561: A pact that bound them, each to the other, in "friendship and alliance against all men." If one should break the secret pact, he would forfeit to the other the sum of ten thousand pounds. Though both had already surrendered to the English, the pact signaled their commitment to their future perseverance for the Scots and their independence. They now intended to bide their time until the death of the elderly king of England. Scotland lay defenceless and Edward set about amalgamating her into England. Homage
1100-541: A serjeant being counted as equal in worth to one half of a knight. Also accompanying them was 850 paid househeld men, mostly from the royal household. Several earls, such as the Earl of Gloucester and the Earl of Lincoln , showed up in person, but most did not. The cavalry were divided into four battalions, each consisting of 15–20 bannerets (60–80 total), each in command of on average 13 knights and squires (780–1,040 total). Edward also requested 16,000 infantry from his magnates, but
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#17328585326221200-637: A similar facility at Ayrshire Central Hospital in Irvine was opened in the grounds of the hospital in 2006. In March 2012, the hospital officially became University Hospital Crosshouse as a result of a partnership with the University of the West of Scotland . Kirklandside Hospital , in neighbouring village Hurlford closed between 2018 and 2020. Kirklandside hospital provided consultant-led services for frail elderly patients. It had 25 long-stay beds for inpatient care and
1300-456: A simple solution to the issue of giving territory to be administered from Kilmarnock, with the population also roughly balanced with those of Cunninghame and Kyle & Carrick (which became North Ayrshire and South Ayrshire respectively); however, it did mean some settlements historically within Kyle , more closely aligned to Ayr for amenities and which would typically have been described as located in
1400-487: A site held sacred by the Scots, that Ormesby had been dispensing English justice. Ormesby was forewarned of Wallace's imminent assault and hastily fled. On hearing about the start of an aristocratic uprising, Edward I, although engaged in events in France, sent a force of foot soldiers and horsemen under Henry Percy and Robert Clifford to resolve the "Scottish problem". On receiving reports that William Douglas had defected to
1500-463: A spike on London Bridge . The English government displayed his limbs separately in Newcastle, Berwick, Stirling, and Perth. On 15 September, the English parliament met with the Scottish representatives to decide the ordinances of government for Scotland. In the midst of listing punishments to be meted out to other Scots, Edward ordered Robert Bruce to put his castle at Kildrummy "in the keeping of such
1600-417: Is located on the west coat of Scotland, sharing borders with the following neighbouring council areas; North Ayrshire , South Ayrshire , Dumfries and Galloway , East Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire . Blackcraig Hill reaches an elevation of 2,298 feet (700 metres), the highest peak in East Ayrshire. Combining the existing Kilmarnock & Loudoun and Cumnock & Doon Valley government districts offered
1700-515: Is one of only two schools in the world to have educated two Nobel laureates : Alexander Fleming and John Boyd Orr . Both men attended Kilmarnock Academy when it was located on North Hamilton Street; the school has since relocated to Sutherland Drive. Grange Academy in Kilmarnock, is one of only seven Scottish Football Association (SFA) Performance Schools . The Robert Burns Academy in Cumnock
1800-538: Is provided by NHS Ayrshire and Arran , one of the fourteen regions of NHS Scotland . The health boards main, and largest, hospital is University Hospital Crosshouse located between the village of Crosshouse and the administrative town of East Ayrshire, Kilmarnock. Other NHS Ayrshire and Arran hospitals within East Ayrshire include East Ayrshire Community Hospital in Cumnock, and the former Kirklandside Hospital in Hurlford . Work on University Hospital Crosshouse, which
1900-577: Is the largest educational campus in Scotland. The area's secondary schools include: Kilmarnock is home to a campus of Ayrshire College , which provides a range of courses to adults as well as school-aged pupils. It is funded by East Ayrshire council and other educational providers. The campus opened in October 2016 in a new, £53 million, building on the site of the Johnnie Walker bottling plant. It superseded
2000-613: The Battle of Falkirk . (It is impossible to give a precise number of the dead.) Despite the victory, Edward and his army soon returned to England and thus failed to subdue Scotland completely. But the defeat had ruined Wallace's military reputation. He retreated to thick woods nearby and resigned his guardianship in December. Wallace was succeeded as Guardian of the Kingdom jointly by Robert Bruce and John Comyn , but they could not see past their personal differences. This brought another shift in
2100-588: The First War of Scottish Independence , the areas Loudoun Hill was the scene of a Scottish victory over the English during the Battle of Loudoun Hill on 10 May 1307. The battlefield at Loudoun Hill is currently under research to be included in the Inventory of Historic Battlefields in Scotland and protected by Historic Scotland under the Scottish Historical Environment Policy of 2009. During
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#17328585326222200-494: The Isle of Arran , Great Cumbrae and Little Cumbrae , which had until then been administered as part of the County of Bute . The former Kilmarnock and Loudoun District Council was twinned with Sukhumi , Abkhazia . Following a review of such links in 2005, East Ayrshire continues the link as a friendship link. East Ayrshire, and its associated political body, East Ayrshire Council ,
2300-688: The Kilmarnock College building on Holehouse Road. Policy and decision making in East Ayrshire is the responsibility of East Ayrshire Council , the body of elected councillors elected to represent East Ayrshire on the council. The council chambers and HQ is located on London Road in Kilmarnock. Elected members to the UK Parliament Elected members to the Scottish Parliament Constituency MSPs Regional List MSPs East Ayrshire
2400-562: The Laigh Kirk in Kilmarnock, Galston Kirk Yard, Loudoun Old Parish Kirk near Galston, Newmilns Keep and Kirkyard, Threepwood near Galston, Lochgoyne Farm above Fenwick, Priesthill Farm near Muirkirk, Mauchline, Sorn, Cumnock and Airds Moss near Cumnock. In 1648, Mauchline was the location of a battle between the Covenanters and Royalists, known as the Battle of Mauchline Muir. A Covenanters Memorial
2500-627: The Upper Irvine Valley (locally referred to as The Valley). This East Ayrshire location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . East Ayrshire 55°30′N 4°18′W / 55.5°N 4.3°W / 55.5; -4.3 East Ayrshire ( Scots : Aest Ayrshire ; Scottish Gaelic : Siorrachd Àir an Ear ) is one of 32 unitary council areas of Scotland . It shares borders with Dumfries and Galloway , East Renfrewshire , North Ayrshire , South Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire . The headquarters of
2600-512: The landed nobility to pass on titles and properties as normal. De Soulis remained abroad, refusing to surrender. Wallace was still at large in Scotland and, unlike all the nobles and bishops, refused to pay homage to Edward. Edward needed to make an example of someone, and, by refusing to capitulate and accept his country's occupation and annexation, Wallace became the unfortunate focus of Edward's hatred. He would be granted no peace unless he put himself utterly and absolutely under Edward's will. It
2700-621: The unitary council areas of East Ayrshire (covering the area of the former Kilmarnock & Loudoun District and Cumnock & Doon Valley District), North Ayrshire (covering the area of the former Cunninghame District Council) and South Ayrshire (covering the area of the former Kyle and Carrick District). There are many early settlements within East Ayrshire. There are many early settlements within East Ayrshire. The Burns Monument Centre and Dick Institute (both in Kilmarnock) are notable museums and cultural venues. In 2017, East Ayrshire Council
2800-467: The "midst of some of Scotland's finest countryside". Kilmarnock is the largest town in East Ayrshire, and has served as the administrative centre of East Ayrshire Council since 1996. It is the East Ayrshire region's main commercial and industrial centre. The town grew considerably during the 1870s and the town's growth subsumed the village of Bonnyton , and by the 1960s, new purpose built suburbs such as New Farm Loch were constructed to accommodate
2900-481: The 1300 border campaign is one of the best-documented English armies of the medieval period. The king issued summons in December 1299 asking for feudal service from his magnates across the realm (with the exception of Wales, which Edward stated 'have leave to remain home, because of all the great work they have done in our service in the past'). The roll recording for the army showed that 40 knights and 366 mounted serjeants responded to this request with unpaid service, with
3000-425: The 13th–15th century. Many of the areas castles played a prominent role, largely in part due to barons being at the peak of military and political powers. Many of the barons were involved in wider Scottish politics and affairs, in particular, resistance to the advances of Edward I towards Scotland. Prominent Scottish independence figure William Wallace has close connections with East Ayrshire. The Wallace family had
3100-460: The 17th century, the Covenanters were particularly active in the East Ayrshire area, as well as along Scotland's west coast where they began promoting National Covenant . During this period, a significant number of Covenanters died as a result of advocating their beliefs. In order to commemorate those lost, a number of sites and monuments in East Ayrshire were erected, including Fenwick Kirk Yard,
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3200-606: The Dragon Stone in Darvel , along with cup and ring markings near to the Ballochmyle Viaduct at Mauchline , indicate early occupation and settlement in and around East Ayrshire. The areas first permanent settlements is said to date from the expansion of Christianity in Scotland, after St Ninian established a church at Whithorn. East Ayrshire is home to a number of towers, castles and other structures which were constructed between
3300-452: The Earl of Surrey's army, at the Battle of Stirling Bridge . The Scottish army deployed to the north-east of the bridge, and let the vanguard of Surrey's army cross the bridge before attacking. The English cavalry proved ineffective on the boggy ground around the bridge, and many of them were killed. The bridge collapsed when English reinforcements were crossing. The English on the opposite side of
3400-535: The English court as a common plaintiff. John was a weak king, known as "Toom Tabard" or "Empty Coat". John renounced his homage in March 1296. That same month Edward invaded Scotland and stormed Berwick-upon-Tweed, sacking the then-Scottish border town. In April, the Scots were defeated at the Battle of Dunbar in East Lothian . By July, Edward had forced John to abdicate. Edward instructed his officers to receive formal homage from some 1,800 Scottish nobles (many of
3500-594: The English in a number of battles. His forces continued to grow in strength, encouraged in part by the death of Edward I in July 1307. The Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 was an especially important Scottish victory, after which the English released the female relatives of Bruce for exchange. In 1320, the Declaration of Arbroath was signed by the community of the realm of Scotland and sent to Pope John XXII affirming Scottish independence from England. In 1327, Edward II of England
3600-439: The Pope, The Pope's support for the Scots faded without Philip's influence. It seemed that Philip had such difficulties that he signed a peace treaty with Edward that did not include any protection for the Scots. This act the Scots knew spelled their doom. A powerful Scottish delegation, led by Soulis, went to Paris that autumn to try to head off such an event. In his absence, Comyn was appointed as Guardian. In November 1302, when
3700-487: The Scots were exultant at their victory. Their successes, however, were rendered useless when, in May 1303, Philip formally signed a peace with England and omitted any consideration for the Scots. Edward I was now free from embarrassment abroad and at home, and having made preparations for the final conquest of Scotland, he commenced his invasion in the middle of May 1303. His army was arranged in two divisions—one under himself and
3800-567: The Scots. The laws and liberties of Scotland would be as they had been in the day of Alexander III, and any that needed alteration would be with the advice of Edward and the advice and assent of the Scots nobles. Excepting William Wallace and John de Soulis, it seemed that all would be forgiven after some of the more famous leaders were exiled from Scotland for various periods. Forfeited estates could be recovered by payment of fines levied in amounts deemed appropriate for each individual's betrayal. Inheritances would continue as they always had, allowing
3900-486: The Scottish economy, it supports 1,500 jobs within the area. Food and drink as well as local tourism provides a large sum to the economy of East Ayrshire, with visitor attractions such as Dean Castle , Palace Theatre and Dumfries House generating large means of income for the area. Places of interest within East Ayrshire include: In 2022, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of East Ayrshire (which includes
4000-415: The abolished Strathclyde Regional Council within the area. The area's name references its location within the historic county of Ayrshire , which had been abolished for local government purposes in 1975 when Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Cumnock and Doon Valley, and Strathclyde region had been created. In April 1996 the two-tier system of regions and districts was abolished and Ayrshire was divided between
4100-438: The castle, Edward refused, saying, "If he thinks it will be better for him to defend the castle than yield it, he will see." After three months of bombardment with every siege engine Edward could bring to bear, the defenders still held the castle. When they could hold out no longer, they offered to surrender unconditionally, but Edward refused to accept. He would first bombard the castle with " Warwolf ", his new trebuchet . After
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4200-476: The church, his attendants, Kirkpatrick and Lindsay, entered and, finding Comyn still alive, killed him. Bruce and his followers then forced the local English judges to surrender their castle. Bruce realised that the die had been cast and that he had no alternative except to become either a king or a fugitive. The murder of Comyn – within a church – was an act of sacrilege, and he faced a future as an excommunicate and an outlaw. However his pact with Lamberton and
4300-471: The council are located on London Road, Kilmarnock . With South Ayrshire and the mainland areas of North Ayrshire, it formed the former county of Ayrshire . East Ayrshire had a population of 122,100 at the 2011 census, making it the 16th most populous local authority in Scotland . Spanning a geographical area of 1,262 km (487 sq mi), East Ayrshire is the 14th-largest local authority in Scotland in terms of geographical area . The majority of
4400-477: The defeat of the English. The blessing of Wishart gave Wallace and his soldiers a degree of respectability. Previously, Scottish nobles had considered them mere outlaws. He was soon joined by William Douglas and others. In early June, Wallace and Douglas planned a symbolic strike to liberate Scone , the seat of the English-appointed Justiciar of Scotland, William de Ormesby . It was from Scone,
4500-600: The increasing population of Kilmarnock. By mid–2020, the population of the town was estimated to be 46,970, making Kilmarnock the 14th most populated settlement in Scotland as well as the largest town in Ayrshire by population. The second largest town in East Ayrshire is Cumnock , which sits at the confluence of the Glaisnock Water and the Lugar Water . There are three neighbouring housing projects which lie just outside
4600-535: The industrial powerhouses of the expanding British Empire . Largely it was textile production which dominated the industrial expansion in the area, with other industries including muslin, cotton, blankets, carpets and woollen goods being produced in Kilmarnock. Other settlements, such as Stewarton, became known internationally its manufacturing of bonnets, and the Irvine Valley region had become renowned for its specialised lace industry. During this period, coal mining
4700-547: The killing in Dumfries, at Scone Abbey on 25 March 1306, Robert Bruce was crowned as King Robert I of Scotland . He then began a new campaign to free his kingdom. After being defeated at the Battle of Methven , he was driven from the Scottish mainland as an outlaw. His wife, three of his brothers, his sisters, and daughter were captured by the English. The three brothers were hanged, drawn and quartered. Bruce later came out of hiding in 1307. The Scots thronged to him, and he defeated
4800-508: The king's army at Bothwell , which he captured in September. The two English armies met to winter at Linlithgow without having damaged the Scots' fighting ability. In January 1302, Edward agreed to a nine-month truce. It was around this time that Robert the Bruce, along with other nobles, gave his allegiance to Edward I, even though he had been on the side of the patriots until then. There are many reasons that may have prompted his turning. Not
4900-455: The larger, was under his own command. The prince was to take the southwestern lands and the greater glory, so his father hoped. But the prince held cautiously to the Solway coast. Scot forces, commanded by de Soulis and de Umfraville, attacked the prince's army at Lochmaben in early September and maintained contact with his army as it captured Robert the Bruce's Turnberry Castle. They also threatened
5000-465: The least of them possibly was that Bruce found it loathsome to continue sacrificing his followers, family and inheritance for the exiled Scottish king John Balliol. There were rumours that Balliol would return with a French army and regain the Scottish throne. Soulis supported the return of Balliol as did many other nobles, but the return of John as king would lead to the Bruces losing any chance of ever gaining
5100-609: 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. The campus is the largest educational establishment in Scotland. Largest settlements by population: 46,970 8,700 7,770 4,710 4,400 First War of Scottish Independence Treaty of Edinburgh–Northampton [REDACTED] Kingdom of Scotland Gaelic Ireland : [REDACTED] Kingdom of England The First War of Scottish Independence
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#17328585326225200-612: The mainland of North Ayrshire for purposes of calculating GDP) was estimated at £5.075 billion. Amongst Scotland's 32 local council areas, combined, East Ayrshire and mainland North Ayrshire are ranked as the 12th largest amongst Scottish areas by GDP rank. The average gross weekly page for full time employees in East Ayrshire in 2023 was £708.80, higher than the Scotland average of £702.40. Between January–December 2023, an estimated 56,300 people were classed as economically active within East Ayrshire, with 55,600 classed as in employment, 49,400 employees of businesses or organisations, with
5300-464: The manufacturing of railway rolling stock in Kilmarnock which would later become exported internationally. In May 1975, the county council was abolished and its functions were transferred to Strathclyde Regional Council . Subsequently, the county area was divided between four new districts within the two-tier Strathclyde region : Cumnock and Doon Valley , Cunninghame , Kilmarnock and Loudoun and Kyle and Carrick . The Cunninghame district included
5400-429: The merchants of Lübeck and Hamburg that they now had free access to all parts of the kingdom of Scotland, which had, by favour of God, been recovered by war from the English. Only one week after this document was signed, Wallace mounted an invasion of England. Crossing into Northumberland , the Scots followed the English army fleeing south in disarray. Caught between two armies, hundreds of refugees fled to safety behind
5500-405: The monks to serve unless it was to "the common army of the whole realm", for national defence. More serious to the Scottish patriots than the apparent defection of Bruce was the loss of support from Philip IV of France and subsequently, the Pope. Philip faced revolt at home and became too involved in his own difficulties to care about the Scots. He thus created a schism between the Scots' cause and
5600-463: The most hunted man in Scotland for years, but especially for the past eighteen months. He was quickly taken through the Scottish countryside, his legs bound beneath his horse, towards London, where, after a show trial , the English authorities had him executed on 23 August 1305, at the Elms of Smithfield in the traditional manner for a traitor. He was hanged, then drawn and quartered , and his head placed on
5700-402: The name of Scotland's king, John Balliol . Moray quickly gathered a band of like-minded patriots, and employing hit-and-run guerrilla tactics, began to attack and devastate every English-garrisoned castle from Banff to Inverness . The entire province of Moray was soon in revolt against King Edward I 's men, and before long Moray had secured the region, leaving him free to turn his attention to
5800-450: The nation in whom I was born." The confederacy of men that Bruce joined included James the Steward , Robert Wishart and William Douglas. Dissension broke out in the Scottish camp when the Scottish and English armies met in July 1297 near Irvine . The aristocratic revolt apparently halted before it even started, but its leaders led long and futile negotiations. It has been suggested that this
5900-781: The other under the Prince of Wales. Edward advanced in the east and his son entered Scotland by the west, but his advance was checked at several points by Wallace. King Edward reached Edinburgh by June, then marched by Linlithgow and Stirling to Perth. Comyn, with the small force under his command, could not hope to defeat Edward's forces. Edward stayed in Perth until July, then proceeded, via Dundee , Montrose and Brechin , to Aberdeen , arriving in August. From there, he marched through Moray, before his progress continued to Badenoch , before re-tracing his path back south to Dunfermline , where he stayed through
6000-468: The overseas trade that Scotland had enjoyed under Alexander III . Any evidence of his administrative acumen was probably destroyed by Edward's officials after his execution. There is, however, one Latin document in the archives of the Hanseatic town of Lübeck , which was sent on 11 October 1297 by "Andrew de Moray and William Wallace, leaders of the kingdom of Scotland and the community of the realm." It told
6100-418: The political situation. During 1299, diplomatic pressure from France and Rome persuaded Edward to release the imprisoned King John into the custody of Pope Boniface VIII . The papacy also condemned Edward's invasions and occupation of Scotland in the papal bull Scimus, Fili . The bull ordered Edward to desist his attacks and start negotiations with Scotland. However, Edward ignored the bull. William Wallace
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#17328585326226200-541: The population of East Ayrshire live within and surrounding the main town, Kilmarnock . Other large population areas in East Ayrshire include Cumnock , the second-largest town, and smaller towns and villages such as Stewarton , Darvel and Hurlford . The largest school in Scotland, the Robert Burns Academy , is located in East Ayrshire at Cumnock . The area in which is now East Ayrshire features indications of early settlement as far back as 397. The presence of
6300-480: The proposed closure of the bottling plant facility in Hill Street, and in 2012, Diageo closed the facility with the loss of 700 jobs. In December 2015, Kilmarnock was awarded the title of Scotland's Most Improved Town due to efforts towards town regeneration and restoration. In rural communities of the authority, agriculture continues to be the leading sources of employment and economic productivity, particularly in
6400-474: The rebels, Edward dispatched Robert Bruce , Earl of Carrick, together with his father's vassals of Annandale, to attack Douglas's stronghold in Lanarkshire . Whilst traveling north to face Douglas, Bruce began to think about where his loyalties truly lay. He decided to follow the Scottish cause, being quoted as saying, "No man holds his flesh and blood in hatred, and I am no exception. I must join my own people and
6500-468: The region, such as Auchinleck , Bellsbank and Dalmellington have struggled to recover from the economic hardship caused by the decline and gradual closure of traditional industries, and are supported through various initiatives to try and rejuvenate their economies. Kilmarnock has seen a gradual decline in manufacturing performance in recent years. In 2009, Diageo , owner of whisky maker Johnnie Walker (which had been founded in Kilmarnock) announced
6600-462: The rest being prisoners of war at that time). Throughout Scotland, there was widespread discontent and disorder after the English Crown extended its dominion over Scotland. Acts of defiance were targeted at local English officials. In 1297, the country erupted in open revolt. Andrew de Moray and William Wallace emerged as the first significant Scottish patriots. Andrew de Moray was the son of
6700-424: The rest of the northeast of Scotland. William Wallace rose to prominence in May 1297, when he killed William Haselrig , the English sheriff of Lanark , and members of his garrison at Lanark. It is possible Richard Lundie helped in the attack. When news of Wallace's attack on the English rippled throughout Scotland, men rallied to him. The rebels were supported by Robert Wishart , Bishop of Glasgow, who longed for
6800-440: The river then fled the battlefield. The Scots suffered relatively light casualties, but the death from wounds of Andrew Moray dealt a profound blow to the Scottish cause. Stirling Bridge was the first key victory for the Scots. After clearing the English out of Scotland, Wallace turned his mind to the administration of the country. One of his early intentions was to reestablish commercial and diplomatic ties with Europe and win back
6900-422: The seat of government to York. On 3 July he invaded Scotland, intending to crush Wallace and all those daring to assert Scotland's independence. On 22 July, Edward's army attacked a much smaller Scottish force led by Wallace near Falkirk . The English army had a technological advantage. Longbowmen slaughtered Wallace's spearmen and cavalry by firing scores of arrows over great distances. Many Scots were killed at
7000-405: The settlements using the newly granted titles, the settlements were said to have "flourished and prospered after the granting of their Charters, with lively trade in agriculture, livestock and textiles". The arrival of the 18th century saw economic prosperity arrive in the area, with the main hub for industry arguably being Kilmarnock. During the 18th and 19th centuries, East Ayrshire became one of
7100-506: The south of the county – particularly Dalrymple , Drongan , Patna and Dalmellington , the latter of which is 20 miles (32 km) south of Dundonald, South Ayrshire – became politically aligned to the East division. The local council boasts the proximity to Glasgow , the largest city in Scotland, as a unique selling point for the area. Additionally, the area is said to "combine an idyllic mix of rural beauty and urban living", and being set in
7200-540: The southern communities of the area. The public sector is the largest employer within the area, with the council and NHS Ayrshire and Arran being significant employers. Kilmarnock is home to the HALO Urban Regeneration company which was founded by Marie Macklin CBE, with a focus on providing opportunities for new businesses within the area, and with an estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) revenue of £205 million to
7300-557: The support of the Scottish church, who were prepared to take his side in defiance of Rome , proved to be of great importance at this key moment when Bruce asserted his claim to the Scottish throne. He went to Glasgow and met with the Bishop of Glasgow, Robert Wishart. Rather than excommunicate Bruce, Wishart absolved him and urged people to rise in his support. They both then travelled to Scone, where they were met by Lamberton and other prominent churchmen and nobles. Less than seven weeks after
7400-426: The temporary truce between the Scots and the English ended, Edward delayed calling up his army until spring. Over that winter, however, he sent John Segrave and an army on a scouting expedition into the area west of Edinburgh. They were ambushed by Comyn and Simon Fraser , who had ridden all night to meet them. The Scots attack led to the capture of the severely wounded Segrave and, although his army later rescued him,
7500-677: The throne and receive Bruce's lands as compensation or vice versa. For some unknown motive, probably a desire to ruin his rival, Comyn revealed the conspiracy to Edward. Bruce was at the English court at this time and, after being forewarned, fled back to Scotland. Bruce arrived in Dumfries and found Comyn there. At a private meeting with Comyn on the 10th of February, 1306 at the Greyfriars Church, Bruce reproached Comyn for his treachery, which Comyn denied. Furious, Bruce drew his dagger and stabbed, though not mortally, his betrayer. As Bruce ran from
7600-419: The throne themselves. Also, Robert's father was old and ill, and may have wished his son to seek peace with Edward, who, he was convinced, would eventually be victorious over the Scots. The elder Bruce would have seen that, if the rebellion failed and his son were against Edward, he would lose everything; titles, lands, and probably his life. Edward also had come to see that he needed a Scottish noble like Bruce as
7700-474: The throne, he would throw the country into yet another series of wars. The pact which Bruce had made with Lamberton was not so secretly managed, and suspicions were awakened. This led to a conference with Comyn in which Bruce proposed, as the best means of preventing future trouble and for restoring their own privileges and the rights of Scots, that they should henceforward enter into an understanding with each other. Under this, Comyn would support Bruce's claim to
7800-435: The time, Wallace and Moray were both in their late twenties and neither could yet claim to be Scottish national heroes. Whereas some of the Scottish nobility had given in to English demands for allegiance (whilst still supporting the Scottish cause), Wallace's force remained unequivocally dedicated to the struggle for Scottish independence. On 11 September 1297, Scottish forces, under the joint command of Moray and Wallace, met
7900-514: The time. The war was given that name retrospectively many centuries later, after the American War of Independence made the term popular, and after the rise of modern Scottish nationalism . When King Alexander III ruled Scotland, his reign had seen a period of peace and economic stability. On 19 March 1286, however, Alexander died after falling from his horse. The heir to the throne was Alexander's granddaughter, Margaret, Maid of Norway . As she
8000-407: The town boundaries, Craigens, Logan and Netherthird , with the former ironworks settlement of Lugar also just outside the town, contributing to a population of around 13,000 in the immediate locale. A new housing development, Knockroon , was granted planning permission on 9 December 2009 by East Ayrshire Council . The town is home to the Robert Burns Academy , a new educational campus housing
8100-419: The walls of Newcastle. The Scots laid waste a swathe of countryside before wheeling west into Cumberland and pillaging all the way to Cockermouth , before Wallace led his men back into Northumberland and fired 700 villages. On his return from England, laden with booty, Wallace found himself at the pinnacle of his power. In March 1298, Wallace was knighted, reputedly by one of the leading nobles of Scotland, and
8200-576: The winter. Early in 1304, Edward sent a raiding party into the borders, which put to flight the forces under Fraser and Wallace. With the country now under submission, all the leading Scots surrendered to Edward in February, except for Wallace, Fraser, and Soulis, who was in France. Terms of submission were negotiated on 9 February by John Comyn, who refused to surrender unconditionally, but asked that prisoners of both sides be released by ransom and that Edward agree there would be no reprisals or disinheritance of
8300-508: Was a deliberate move in order to provide space and time for Wallace to levy and train men. Percy and Clifford assumed that this was the end of the problem and retired back to the south, only to be followed once more by Wallace and Moray. These two divided their forces and in a short time again forced the English south of the Forth, leaving them holding only the castle of Dundee . While laying siege to Dundee Castle, Wallace heard that an English army
8400-516: Was again advancing north, this time under John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey . Wallace put the leading men of the town of Dundee in charge of the castle's siege and moved to halt the advance of the English army. Wallace and Moray, who had recently combined their forces, deployed on the Ochil Hills overlooking the bridge crossing the River Forth at Stirling and prepared to meet the English in battle. At
8500-558: Was again paid to Edward by the nobles, and a parliament was held in May 1305 to elect those who would meet later in the year with the English parliament to establish rules for the governance of Scotland by the English. The Earl of Richmond, Edward's nephew, was to head the subordinate government of Scotland and control the castles of Roxburgh and Jedburgh . Justices were to be appointed in pairs, one Englishman and one Scot. Militarily strategic localities were to be controlled by English sheriffs and constables, but most others by Scots. A council
8600-446: Was also decreed that James Stewart, de Soulis and Ingram de Umfraville could not return until Wallace was given up, and Comyn, Alexander Lindsay, David Graham and Simon Fraser were to actively seek his capture. In May, having eliminated most Scottish opposition, Edward turned his attention to Stirling Castle, laying siege to it with great determination. Asked by its defender, William Oliphant, if he had permission to surrender or must hold
8700-400: Was appointed Guardian of the Kingdom of Scotland in the name of the exiled King John Balliol. He began preparations for a confrontation with Edward. In January 1298, Philip IV of France had signed a truce with Edward that did not include Scotland, thereby deserting his Scots allies. Edward returned to England from campaigning in France in March and called for his army to assemble. He moved
8800-450: Was appointed largely because he was not part of either the Bruce or the Comyn camps, and was a patriot. He was an active guardian, and made renewed efforts to have John Balliol returned to the Scottish throne. In July 1301, Edward launched his sixth campaign into Scotland, aiming to conquer Scotland in a two-pronged attack. One army was commanded by his son, Edward, Prince of Wales , the other,
8900-532: Was commissioned to replace the Kilmarnock Infirmary , began on the site in August 1972 with completion expected in May 1977. The contractor, Melville Dundas & Whitson , encountered difficulties with the water supply and ventilation systems and the facility was only officially opened by George Younger , Secretary of State for Scotland , as Crosshouse Hospital in June 1984. A new maternity unit, which replaced
9000-484: Was considered an important economic asset across the area, particularly in communities such as Dalmellington and Patna . Additionally, iron making was developed at locations such as at Dunaskin in the Doon Valley, ultimately in which all were contributed to the importance of industry in East Ayrshire. The areas strength in industry and manufacturing allowed other sectors to develop in many parts of East Ayrshire, including
9100-468: Was created in 1996 under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 , which replaced Scotland's previous local government structure of upper-tier regions and lower-tier districts with unitary council areas providing all local government services. East Ayrshire covered the combined area of the abolished Kilmarnock and Loudoun and Cumnock and Doon Valley districts, and also took over the functions of
9200-596: Was erected in Loan Green in Mauchline, commemorating the five martyrs who were hanged at the site in 1685. During the 17th century, the establishment of 'Burghs of Barony' titles evolved. Many towns in modern day East Ayrshire were granted charters which allowed them to use the newly created title. Such towns and settlements which were granted Burgh of Barony status included Newmilns in 1491, Auchinleck in 1507, Cumnock in 1509, Kilmarnock in 1592 and Riccarton in 1638. With
9300-402: Was formed to advise the Earl of Richmond, including Bruce, Comyn and Lamberton. For all the apparent participation by Scots in the government, however, the English held the real power. While all this took place, William Wallace was finally captured at Robroyston near Glasgow on 3 August 1305. He was delivered to the English by retainers in the service of John Menteith . Wallace had been easily
9400-450: Was invited in by the Scottish nobility to arbitrate. Before the process could begin, he insisted that all of the contenders recognise him as lord paramount . In early November 1292, at a great feudal court held in the castle at Berwick-upon-Tweed , judgement was given in favour of John Balliol having the strongest claim in law. Edward proceeded to reverse the rulings of the Scottish lords and even summoned King John Balliol to stand before
9500-509: Was named as the UK Council of the Year. In 2016, East Ayrshire Council was awarded and recognised for its recycling and resource management. Historically the economy of East Ayrshire was dependent on industries such as coal mining , textiles and general manufacturing which largely fell into decline in Scotland during the 1970s and 1980s. Certain parts of East Ayrshire, particularly in the south of
9600-458: Was no action. In August, the Pope sent a letter demanding that Edward withdraw from Scotland. Due to the lack of success, Edward arranged a truce with the Scots on 30 October and returned to England. That year, Robert Bruce finally resigned as joint guardian and was replaced by Ingram de Umfraville . In May 1301, de Umfraville, John Comyn and William Lamberton resigned as joint guardians and were replaced by John de Soulis as sole guardian. Soulis
9700-421: Was only able to muster 9,000 infantry, giving his army a total count of around 10,000. The infantry were grouped into units of 100, each commanded by an armoured serjeant, which were further subdivided into units of 20. The average daily rate of pay was 2d (two pence) for a spearman or billman, 12d (one shilling) for a serjeant, 24d (two shillings) for a knight, 6d for a hobelar , 6d for a mounted archer, 4-6d for
9800-459: Was sent to Europe to try to gain further support for the Scottish cause. Wallace went to France to seek the aid of Philip IV, and he possibly went on to Rome. William Lamberton , Bishop of St Andrews, was appointed as a third, neutral Guardian to try to maintain order between Bruce and Comyn. The Scots also recaptured Stirling Castle. In May 1300, Edward I led a campaign into Scotland, invading Annandale and Galloway . Edward I's invasion force in
9900-559: Was still a child and in Norway, the Scottish lords set up a government of guardians. Margaret fell ill on the voyage to Scotland and died in Orkney on 26 September 1290. The lack of a clear heir led to a period known as Competitors for the Crown of Scotland or the "Great Cause", with several families laying claim to the throne. With Scotland threatening to descend into civil war, King Edward I of England
10000-643: Was the first of a series of wars between English and Scottish forces. It lasted from the English invasion of Scotland in 1296 until the de jure restoration of Scottish independence with the Treaty of Edinburgh–Northampton in 1328. De facto independence was established in 1314 at the Battle of Bannockburn . The wars were caused by the attempts of the English kings to establish their authority over Scotland while Scots fought to keep English rule and authority out of Scotland. The term "War of Independence" did not exist at
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