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The cute Scottish village that is home to lovely shops and country’s ‘best pub’

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5 months ago

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The cute Scottish village that is home to lovely shops and country’s ‘best pub’

Summer is so close we can taste it, which means now is the time to start thinking about day-trip and staycation spots if you haven’t already.

When the sun is shining and the temperature rises, there is nothing better than heading to a picturesque little town or village for a quick getaway. While everyone has their own idea of the perfect holiday spot, most will agree that a cosy pub is a must.



As reported by the Daily Record earlier this week, the winners of the prestigious annual Scottish Entertainment and Hospitality Awards have been announced. Amongst the winners on the night was The Weston in Kilmaurs, which took home the coveted prize for Best Pub.

For this reason, we have chosen the quiet little East Ayrshire village as our latest Village of the Week. Lying just outside of the large town of Kilmarnock, it makes for an ideal escape if you are craving some peace and quiet.


While The Weston is definitely one of the highlights of Kilmaurs, the village has plenty else to offer. From the charming independent shops that dot its Main Street to its historic buildings and scenic green spaces, there is something for everyone.

Continue reading for some images that show why Kilmaurs is the ideal destination for a day trip or a holiday. You can also read about some of our past towns and villages of the week below:

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As with most of Scotland’s towns and villages, the best place to start with Kilmaurs is a leisurely stroll down its Main Street. The centre of the village is home to cute cafés such as Rendezvous and bakeries like Beth Brownings Bakery.

(Image: Main Street, Kilmaurs by Leslie Barrie, CC BY-SA 2.0 )

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The centrepiece of Kilmaurs is a building known locally as the ‘Jougs’, and a trip to the village wouldn’t be complete without seeing it up close. The unique structure was the meeting place of the Magistrate and local worthies, and was even used as a place of imprisonment and punishment — with the word ‘jougs’ coming from the iron neck ring and chain still attached to the external wall near the tower steps.

(Image: Photo © Ian Rainey (cc-by-sa/2.0))

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Another highlight is definitely Rowallan Castle, which dates all the way back to the 13th century and is said to have ties to Robert the Bruce and William Wallace. Only fragments of the original castle remain, alongside a 16th-century ruin that was the birthplace of Elizabeth Muir — mother of the first Stewart king of Scotland Robert II. Today, the estate is a fabulous venue that is home to a popular golf course and the renowned Glasshouse Restaurant.

(Image: PaulT (Gunther Tschuch), CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

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Given Kilmaurs’ rural location, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to rural hikes in the area. If you’re looking to stay inside the village, though, then a scenic walk to Morton Park is a great shout — especially if the sun is shining.

(Image: Rosser1954, CC BY-SA 4.0)

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A visit to The Weston is the perfect capper to any day trip or staycation in Kilmaurs. As well as being crowned Scotland’s ‘Best Pub’ at the Scottish Entertainment Awards earlier this month, the tavern bar and restaurant is also very popular amongst visitors — with an average rating of 4.5 out of five on travel website Tripadvisor. Recent customers have called it “wonderful” and “first class”.

(Image: Photo © JThomas (cc-by-sa/2.0))

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