Birnieknowe

Settlement in Ayrshire

Scotland

Birnieknowe

Beechwood Park, Auchinleck. Football ground Beechwood Park. Home of Auchinleck Talbot FC — Beechwood Park, Auchinleck. Football ground Credit: paul c

Birnieknowe is a small village located in Ayrshire, a historical county in southwestern Scotland. Situated just a few miles north of the town of Kilmarnock, Birnieknowe is known for its peaceful rural setting and picturesque landscapes. The village is nestled amidst rolling hills and green fields, offering residents and visitors a charming countryside experience.

Birnieknowe is primarily a residential area, with a small population of around 200 residents. The village is made up of a cluster of traditional stone houses, many of which have been well-preserved over the years, giving the area a quaint and traditional feel. The village is characterized by its peaceful atmosphere, providing an ideal place for those seeking tranquility and a slower pace of life.

Despite its small size, Birnieknowe boasts a strong sense of community spirit. The village has a close-knit community, and residents often come together for various events and activities. The nearby countryside offers ample opportunities for outdoor pursuits, such as hiking, cycling, and fishing, attracting nature enthusiasts and outdoor lovers.

While Birnieknowe itself may not have many amenities, the village benefits from its proximity to Kilmarnock, where residents can access a wider range of services, including shops, schools, healthcare facilities, and recreational activities. The village also enjoys good transportation links, with regular bus services connecting it to neighboring towns and cities.

In conclusion, Birnieknowe is a quiet and charming village in Ayrshire, offering a peaceful and rural lifestyle to its residents. With its picturesque surroundings and strong community spirit, Birnieknowe is an idyllic place for those seeking a slower pace of life amidst natural beauty.

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Birnieknowe Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.473501/-4.2614371 or Grid Reference NS5722. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Beechwood Park, Auchinleck. Football ground

Beechwood Park. Home of Auchinleck Talbot FC

paul c

Auchinleck

Council housing in Auchinleck to the east of the B705

Angela Mudge

Lonely cow

Fields just outside of Auchinleck

Angela Mudge

Fore Rogerton

Looking across to the Afton hills

Angela Mudge

Airds Moss

There are former mine workings are here

Angela Mudge

Common

Fields at Common. Looking south.

Angela Mudge

Cumnock

Housing on the A70 in Cumnock

Angela Mudge

Waste bings

Remains of the old coal mining industry near Glenshamrock Farm. The brick foundations of some of the mine buildings can still be found to the right of this location. Glenshamrock farm lies to the south west. Away from the mounds of industrial waste, there is improved grassland grazed at this time by sheep.

Bob Forrest

Roundshaw Farm

The farm is located on an elevated position looking over an area which has been extensively worked for coal both recently and in the past. The farm would appear to have an interest in the rearing of sheep and beef cattle. There is a mixture of improved grassland and scrubby heathland vegetation.

Bob Forrest

Heathland and old coal bing

The contrast between the heathland of Airds Moss and the improved grassland around Roundshaw Farm is very evident. The old waste bings, from the former coal mining activity in this area, are gradually becoming covered by poor grasses and shallow rooted trees and bushes.

Bob Forrest

Opencast remains

Recent area of opencast coal working now being used as a dump for waste material from a nearby fireclay pit near the farm of Common (NS5822). Formerly a minor road crossed this area providing a link to the Cronberry road (NS5722). This was destroyed during the opencast operations and so far has not been reinstated. In the past there was a primary school quite close to this location which gives some idea of the size of population once living in this part of Airds Moss.

Bob Forrest

Manmade pond

This pond has developed in the opencast area recently worked for coal near Darnconner Farm. It has probably developed due to the close proximity of the Dippol Burn which drains south at this point from Airds Moss. The intention seems to be to use this area in the future as a landfill site.

Bob Forrest

Recent Opencast Remains

As the coal is removed by opencast methods from a number of areas on Airds Moss, part of the land reinstatement programme is to plant several varieties of deciduous trees. In the distance can be seen the fireclay pit which has around two years supply of clay at the present rate of extraction. The mound of overburden to the right will then be used to improve the area shown in Photo No.366318.

Bob Forrest

Darnconner Farm

All that now remains of what was a much larger mining village of the same name. To the right of the caravans is a dwelling house which used to be the manse, while behind the farm buildings on the right there used to be the schoolmaster's house. The main interest on the farm to-day is livestock - sheep and some beef cattle.

Bob Forrest

Berryhill Farm

Waste bings used to line both sides of the road leading up to the farm. Only small traces of these now remain. The Dippol Burn flows close to the road here which might help to explain the wet area to the right of the entrance. There had been a prolonged spell of heavy rain during march. Sheep were grazing on the improved grassland near the farm on this particular day. The mainly modern farm buildings can be seen on the skyline.

Bob Forrest

Barglachan Farm

The very modern two storey building tends to dominate the skyline and almost hides the farm buildings. It is a sheep and beef cattle farm occupying a very exposed position which slopes south east towards the Auchinleck Burn. The farm is also in the middle of an area of past coal mining activity.

Bob Forrest

Birnieknowe Farm

A sheep and beef cattle farm surrounded by improved grassland. It sits just above the right bank of the Auchinleck Burn. Between this farm and Berryhill Farm (NS5622) is an area where coal was formerly extracted using shaft mines.

Bob Forrest

Auchinleck Burn below Lochnoran House

A new residential building located on a prominent site above the Auchinleck Burn. Two minor roads fork at this point with one going to Auchinleck (NS5521) or Lugar (NS5821) and the other to Cronberry (NS6022). In the field opposite Lochnoran House, there is a sandstone cross marking the site where a reverend sister was accidentally killed.

Bob Forrest

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Birnieknowe is located at Grid Ref: NS5722 (Lat: 55.473501, Lng: -4.2614371)

Unitary Authority: East Ayrshire

Police Authority: Ayrshire