Dunlop: Church Architecture, Tombs and Cheese Tradition

If you’re looking for a place to stay with historical points of interest, its own cheese tradition and circular walks, Dunlop offers several specific themes to consider when planning your trip. The Parish Church and dated tombs offer insights into architectural and commemorative history; Barbara Gilmour connects the town’s history with Dunlop cheese. There are also named circular walks, scenic spots and the railway station. This gives you a choice of whether historical themes, walks or both will shape your stay.

Church, Tombs and Architectural History

Dunlop Parish Church dates from 1835 and includes structural elements from 1641. Its churchyard is dominated by gravestones and monuments from the 18th and 19th centuries, including the 1732 monument to Barbara Gilmour. The dates point to different historical references: older elements of the church, the dated monument and the predominantly later funerary monuments.

Another historical highlight is Hans Hamilton’s tomb, a vaulted burial chamber dating from 1641. Inside is a sarcophagus depicting kneeling male and female figures. The tomb is considered a rare surviving example of monumental architecture from the mid-17th century. The vaulted chamber and the figures on the sarcophagus draw attention to both its architectural form and sculptural design.

Barbara Gilmour and the History of Dunlop Cheese

The Hill was the home of Barbara Gilmour, who developed Dunlop cheese. She first developed Traditional Ayrshire Dunlop around 1690. Dunlop cheese was being made in the area in the 1790s; production of Traditional Ayrshire Dunlop Cheese resumed in 1989. Its development, regional production and resumption are distinct stages in the history of the cheese.

Craignaught Hill is also part of the area’s history: a battle took place there in 1439. This dated event goes further back in time than the architectural and cheese histories mentioned above and adds another distinct historical point of interest.

Circular Walks and Getting Around

Circular walks with different starting points are described for those who enjoy walking. The Dunlop Hill Circular starts at Dunlop Parish Church, passes Black Burn and Chapelhouse Bridge, and returns to Dunlop. Trail conditions may change; check them before setting out.

Minnie Gemmell’s Loop is a short circular walk starting at Dunlop railway station. Minnie Gemmell’s Loop is two miles long. The details differ: the Dunlop Hill Circular has a stated starting point, intermediate points and return to Dunlop, while Minnie Gemmell’s Loop has a stated starting point at the station and a length of two miles.

A 2022 walking report describes a small pond, picnic benches and a stone mound with a weather vane in Millennium Woodland Nature Park. Dunlop railway station is also part of East Ayrshire’s park-and-ride system. Since Minnie Gemmell’s Loop starts there, the station is a named reference point for both walk planning and travel to the area.

Discover more destinations: Cumnock, Millport, Kilbirnie, Skelmorlie, Hurlford, Lochranza, New Cumnock, Stevenston.

For the broader travel overview: Ayrshire.