Our town of Stewarton is known locally as the Bonnet Toun, due to it’s four hundred years of Bonnet making. Robert Mackie, established back in 1845, is the only surviving manufacturer. Back in the 1700’s nearly the whole town was involved in Bonnet making. Today they manufacture traditional Scottish bonnets, (Balmorals and Glengarries) which have been supplied to Scottish regiments, bands and Clan Associations throughout the world for many years.

The town sits in the rural part of East Ayrshire, near the West Coast of Scotland, 6 miles North of Kilmarnock and East of Irvine. With the recent upgrade of the M77. Local residents enjoy a quick 40 minute commute to Glasgow or South to Ayr. This upgrade trigged housing construction. Four new housing estates were created. This increased the population of young families moving in from surrounding urban area’s. They now enjoy living in the rural area of beautiful Ayrshire.

The town enjoys many varied leisure activities, one in particular the Stewarton Drama Group who have won many awards for their acting roles over the year.

Another old tradition the towns holds, is a lasting legacy from 1932 when a small committee of men got together to develop an idea of holding a Gala Day for children. During this time the residents of the then small village were facing hard times. Life was difficult due to the countries depression. Tom Barclay, John Aitchison and Hugh Muir immediately put their idea in to action, after the Town Council put their seal of approval on the Gala Day Festival which is now The Bonnet Guild.

So on Saturday the 4^th June 1933 in the old Picture House, which is now the Social Club. John Aitchison brought another idea to the table, the Corsehill Queen. John came to Stewarton from Peebles where they held a ceremony of the Beltane Queen. Basing the idea from Peebles the 3 men developed their own ceremony for our very own Gala Queen. Except for the war years this tradition has grown. Over the years, other activities have been added strengthening the festival , which is now over a week long. Ending with the Grand finale on Saturday’s Gala day and the crowning of the New Corselhill Queen.

Stewarton has grown considerably over the years, more so sine 1986 when we moved here to live ad work. We have always held a strong community spirit, during our children’s young years I ran a local Nursery School and Day Care, being the first one in Strathclyde to offer before and after school car. With a curriculum for pre-school children. At the time (1988) the local authority thought this idea was ridiculous and often told me the idea’s would never catch on…..well! now we all know different!

The local authority schools provide the majority Pre-School Nursery places, wrap round care. Only one small Playgroup/Nursery has survived and outlived 6 other groups. St Columbus, based in the church of the same name continues to grow.

I now develop and promote the facilities of our small town on the world wide web. The town continues to grow but many small shops in the community now fight for survival, against the local bigger Supermarket who are allowed to sell Newspapers, Magazines, Cards and household wares.

If you would like to read more about our town, just visit our Community Website www.stewarton.com.

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