Kirkmichael is situated on the Dyrock Burn 3 miles east of Maybole. Although a village with a long history and character of its own it has many ties with Maybole and its people. Listed below are links to some of pages on Maybole's site relating to Kirkmichael and links to other sites of interest. Click here for more photos. Click here for maps. Kirkmichael on Undiscovered Scotland: Kirkmichael

THE CURIOSITY CABINET A new novel by Catherine Czerkawska published by Polygon in March 2005. ISBN No 1904598420 Paperback. 256pp. Price £8.99.  “A powerful story about love and obligation… a persuasive novel, very well written”: John Burnside.When Alys revisits the beautiful Hebridean island of Garve after an absence of twenty five years, she is enchanted by the embroidered cabinet on display in her hotel. She discovers that it belongs to her childhood playmate ...more about the book.

While browsing through my memory box I found a letter (below) from my Gran to my Grandpa when she, along with my mum and uncle, was evacuated to Kirkmichael. It was written from West End Cottage which I believe still exists. There is no date but my Uncle Jim, who is the baby in the letter, was born in December 1938 so I assume it was written in 1939. I thought it may be of interest to anyone living there at the time. Read the letter.

Kirkmichael school photograph circa 1911. Contributed by Nancy Oliver and Helen Smith with the assistance of Herbert Kay. Fancy days when children went to school bare footed! John Muir, who is in the photo, and his wife who never had any children, adopted me so I am delighted that the photo emerged. Herbert Kay

It can hardly be called a book at all – there are just a few yellowing pages, bound together though some of them are coming loose, and around the edges are the marks of the bonfire that destroyed the rest of it. Sadly, this was no accidental fire. “A friend had died” said the lady who lent me the manuscript.” And somebody was clearing out her old desk. When I arrived at her house they had just thrown this on the bonfire. I nearly burned my fingers trying to rescue it, but this was all I could get out of the flames.” Astonishingly enough these few handwritten pages rescued by my neighbour turned out to date from the Kirkmichael of the early 1800s. Click here or on the image to read the full story by Catherine Czerkawska.

The policeman pictured is Tom Proudfoot who was the law in the village and  surrounding area for many years. Those were the days of the village bobby!  Tom retired in 1953 and lived into his eighties.  To the right is  Kirkmichael Drama Club! This was a play entitled "The Salmon Poachers"... Full story and more photos. Click here for the full story and more photos.

Kyle Karate Club. The style that we practise is called Shotokai. Everyone gets their first night free, to give them the chance to try it out. Mondays we are in Kirkmichael primary school, kids are 7 till 8p.m. and adults 8 till 10p.m. Friday its in Dailly activity centre, kids 7 till 8p.m., adults 7 till 9p.m. From Tuesday the 25th of September we will be starting a new branch of Kyle Karate Club in Maybole, in the West Parish Church, Coral Glen ,Maybole. The times are every Tuesday night, 6.30-7.30 children 6.30- 8.30 adults. The cost for each session is £1.50 for juniors and £2.50 for adults. For more information contact  Andy Crockart. Click here for photos of practise sessions.

Catherine Czerkawska is a resident of Kirkmichael and accomplished writer. Her works include novels, plays for theatre and BBC radio, television drama, short stories, articles and creative content of all kinds.
Email: catherine@wordarts.co.uk Website: www.wordarts.co.uk

Alan Lees is a resident of Kirkmichael and one of Scotland's foremost sculptors: a true artist in wood. His work explores many themes:- religious, wildlife, Celtic, maritime and historical subjects using all kinds of native hardwoods such as lime and Scottish oak.  Email: info@woodarts.co.uk  Website:www.woodarts.co.uk

Kirkmichael International Guitar Festival
Over three days in May thousands of music lovers from around the Globe congregate in Kirkmichael, Scotland's guitar village. They come together for a weekend of great music, stunning scenery and wonderful company that caters to all musical tastes from folk to flamenco, jazz to rock and roll...Click on the link above to learn more about the annual festival.

Kirkmichael near Maybole

Kirkmichael near Maybole

Kirkmichael, Ayrshire

Kirkmichael Primary 1939

The postcard images above and photo of Kirkmichael Primary School pupils were contributed by Herbert Kay.

In memory of  Private Robert Caldwell
"Kir'michael auld Kir'michael It nearly gars me greet, To hear that dear name spoken In lonely lane or street. Though I should make my hame In earth's remotest pairt The thoght of auld Kir'michael Will charm and warm my heart." by Robert Caldwell.
Private R CALDWELL  296060, 12th (Ayr and Lanark Yeomanry) Bn., Royal Scots Fusiliers died on Thursday 30th August 1917. Read the touching poem and view the photos of his young soldier and his grave.  Contributed by Herbert Kay.

FIVE SUNDAY SCHOOL TRIPPERS DROWNED. RECKLESS USE OF AN OLD BOAT.  The tragic result of a boating episode on the Carrick shore on Saturday by a party of Sunday School trippers from Kirkmichael, created great consternation all over the county when it became known on Saturday evening. Eleven persons, mostly children were involved (including a Robert Caldwell - see above), and five lives were lost, the victims being a ploughman and four children. June 1910. Contributed by Alistair Hastings.

Kirkmichael Churchyard. | Monuments Transcription for purchase.
'The Parish Church of Kirkmichael was built a little over a century ago, and although neat enough in appearance, has no particular claim to attention. But it is different with the churchyard, which is one of the sweetest "God's acres" in this neighbourhood. It has indeed all the elements of beauty and interest in a typical Scotch burying- place.' Click on the link above to read the rest of the chapter.  From Places of Interest about Maybole by Rev. R. Lawson. 1891.

I beg to introduce to you our old friend Jock Aird, the Kirkmichael Natural, as drawn for us by Mr Bryden, formerly of Coylton. Jock was born about 86 years ago, in the parish of Kirkmichael. Jock was the last of our Public Naturals. He used to be sorely tormented by the evil disposed, but he was accounted a privileged person by all else. His appearance was unique, and his behaviour was in keeping with his appearance. Rev. Lawson 1891. Click here or on the image for the rest of the story.

The New Statistical Account of the Parish of Kirkmichael - 1838
The character of the parish is hilly. On the banks of the rivers and streams, there are considerable tracts of level ground; but these bear a small proportion to what are unequal and undulating. The hill-pasture continues fresh and green, for most part of the season.

KIRKMICHAEL Ayrshire Directory by Pigot & Co 1837
Kirkmichael is a village in the parish of this name and District of Carrick, some 76 miles from Edinburgh, 22 from Kilmarnock, 14 from Girvan, 10 South of Ayr, the like distance East of Dalmellington, 8 North by East of Dailly, 4 from Stralton, 3½ from Maybole. It is pleasantly situate in a valley, on the road from Newton Stewart to Glasgow - 36 miles from the former and 44 from the latter. Click on the link above to read the rest of the description and directory of the village.

LETTER - REV. MR. JOHN RAMSAY, KIRKMICHAEL, NEAR  MAYBOLE.
This letter, dated  8th August 1797, is addressed to the Rev. Mr. John Ramsay, Minister of the Gospel, Kirkmichael, Near --- Maybole. The disposition of the estate and children of a Mr. Walker are the main subject but the writer, David McClure, appears to have as been a personal friend of Rev. Ramsay as well as a former resident of the town. Click on the image to the left or the link above to view full pages of the letter and a transcription.