#kilmarnock

2 bedroom house for sale on Main Street, Kilmaurs, Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire

On May 22nd 1668 tragedy struck Kilmarnock when " 'the whole toun was burnt into ashes by a violent fire"

Kilmarnock at that time was little more than a large village with nearly all the properties crowded together. One report described the buildings as “huts and hovels.” The roofs were all made of thatch. The fire spread rapidly, tearing along the thatch, which presumably was dry because of recent weather.

The disaster left the people of the town homeless. In all 120 families lost their homes and their possessions.

One report of the time said: “the people “wer cast out of all habitation an brought to povertie and beggarie.”

At that time the people of the town were described as being all poor tradesmen without any support.

Many families were forced to live destitute in the fields surrounding the town. These tradespeople had no other way of making a living and had already been driven to the edge of poverty by having troops stationed with them as part of the anti-Covenanter measures. Parish churches throughout Scotland collected money for the relief of these homeless citizens.

Kilmarnock, KA3 3ER, Scotland