Pictorial History of Cumnock

Alloway Publishing, 1992, 104pp.
ISBN 0907526543
£6.50

A wonderful guide to Cumnock using old and new photographs, sketches and maps. This book contains 179 illustrations which take the reader through many centuries of history. Starting in the past with Terringzean Castle and the Covenanters, the books illustrates the story of the town through mines, mansions, schools, churches, famous folk, shops and factories .
The book incorporates a historical sketch which tells the history of the parish through the centuries, plotting the growth of the burgh, as well as industries, village life, and other subjects.
There follows a pictorial section, in which the various aspects of the town's history are illustrated, complete with captions. This includes the lost industries, such as Cumnock Pottery, former shops, the construction of various landmarks, such as the swimming pool and Glaisnock Viaduct, and many, many more.
Residents and exiles of the area will find this book a fascinating look at their town. It will stimulate the memory, and where two or more Cumnockians are gathered, it will be the catalyst for arguments over who lived where, etc. On the other hand, the book may help to settle a few arguments from its account.