Welcome to Kilwinning

Kilwinning is located on the River Garnock, in the Cunningham district of North Ayrshire, approximately 404 miles north-west of London and 4 miles north of Irvine.

The town has a population of around 16,100. It is within the parish of Kilwinning which also includes the Fergushill and the Eglinton Country Park and which covers an area of 4,019 hectares. Administratively it is within the unitary council region of North Ayrshire which covers an area of approximately 885 sq kms.

Renowned as the birthplace, in 1107, of Freemasonry in Scotland, it is a busy commercial and retail centre with much suburban growth. Some notable historic buildings survive, including Eglinton Castle and the remains of the 12th-century Kilwinning Abbey which have been integrated into the present Parish Church. It is a good base from which to explore the many visitor attractions in the vicinity.

Some evidence points to the building of a Christian church and monastery here early in the 7th century, associated with St Winin. The Benedictine Abbey of Kilwinning was founded by Hugh de Morville, Constable of Scotland, around the mid 12th century. It was one of the richest in Scotland until it was attacked and destroyed in the 16th century. Kilwinning houses the original Lodge of the Freemasons, and its origins may also date back as far as the 12th century.

Historically the town's economy was based upon its engineering works, iron foundry and fire-clay works and, earlier, for its worsted-spinning industry and coal mining. Today, the Nethermains Industrial Estate is home to light industry, and Fullarton Computer Industries are one of the largest employers on the site. A large campus of the James Watt College has been built in the town.

The name Kilwinning derives from the establishment of a Christian church and monastery here in the early part of the 7th century by St Winin;  'Kils' refers to cells, and 'winin' refers to the Saint's name.