[Gazetteer of Scotland Contents]
KILMARNOCK (THE), a considerable rivulet of the district of Cunningham, Ayrshire. Over most part of its course it is a double stream, or flows in two head-waters. Both of these rise in the south-east corner of Renfrewshire, 1½ mile beyond the limits of Ayrshire, and at points 3½ miles asunder; and they pursue a course respectively of 9 and 10 miles, in a direction west of south, gradually approaching each other as they advance, till they unite at Dean-castle. The western or shorter branch flows past Kingswell inn, and the village of Fenwick, and very generally is called Fenwick-water; and the eastern branch, after having received from the east a tributary nearly equal in length and bulk to itself, is overlooked by the fine mansion and demesne of Craufurdland. The united stream has a course of only 2 miles, flows past the town of Kilmarnock, and falls into the Irvine 3 furlongs below Riccarton.