Old travel Blog photograph of the Bruce family from Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland. The Bruce surname, so celebrated in the history of Scotland, is of Norman French origin, and is a locational name either from an extensive fortress, built by Adam de Brus at Brix between Cherbourg and Valognes, Normandy. Robert, The Bruce, born 1274, died 1329, was crowned king of Scotland in 1306, and consolidated Scottish independence when he defeated the English forces of King Edward 11 at Bannockburn in 1314. His brother, Edward, was crowned King of Ireland in 1315. The Bruce family hold the titles of barons of Kinloss, barons of Aberdare, earls of Elgin, and earls of Kincardine.
The first collection of work by Scottish poet Robert Burns, Poems, chiefly in the Scottish dialect, was published here in 1786, and became known as the Kilmarnock volume. The internationally distributed whisky brand Johnnie Walker originated in the town in the 19th century. A comparatively modest settlement until the Industrial Revolution, Kilmarnock extended considerably from around 1800 onwards. This resulted in formal, planned developments such as King Street, Portland Street, Saint Marnock Street and latterly John Finnie Street; the last often suggested as one of the finest Victorian planned streets in Scotland.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
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