Dumfries Arms Hotel. It was originally the New Inn or the Heid Inn from about 1780. It has had some extensions over the year but the bulk of it is original. It was also known as Donaldstoun Inn until about 1826 when it was The Dumfries Arms.

CUMNOCK TOWN HALL and bust of KEIR HARDIE

The Town Hall

The proposal to build a Town Hall in Cumnock was first put forward in 1880. The Marquess of Bute offered the Glaisnock Street site free of charge and a contribution of £500. A subscription list was opened in 1883 which soon reached £2000. The building was declared open on 7 June 1885 – the architect was Robert Samson Ingram.
The building contained two halls. Public generosity helped to equip the hall which included a special contribution from a local firm which paid for the ceiling ornament (cost £5), and a piano which cost £35 from another donor.

The hall and its lesser rooms have been used for all kinds of events & occasions. In the early 1900s touring companies came to offer drama, music and grand opera. Cumnock’s first wrestling competition was presented in 1905. Emmeline Pankhurst came to the Town Hall in 1907 to address a Votes for Women rally.

about 1906

In the 1920s and 30s it was a favourite venue for ballroom dancing with music by local bands. The building has housed schoolrooms, billeted soldiers, met accommodation demands, been a cinema and bingo hall and provided a meeting place for every club, society and association in the locality.

The original front garden and railings have been removed.

An impressive bust of Labour politician James Keir Hardie by Benno Schotz was unveiled in 1939 and graces the front of the building.

2015

Cumnock Action Plan with Cumnock History Group. Plaques funded by 9CC.

cumnockhistorygroup.org