Kilmarnock has many historical buildings, some of which are in a part of the town centre designated as being an “outstanding conservation area” within John Finnie Street and Bank Street.
The Kilmarnock Town Trail takes you on a fascinating walk through Kilmarnock’s rich and colourful past to 48 historical locations. A comprehensive guidebook on the Kilmarnock Town Trail can be bought for £3 in certain newsagents in Kilmarnock town centre although this is not necessary to locate the cache.
Below is a list of the final 15 locations of the Town Trail however only 12 of these locations have a blue metal plaque. To obtain the coordinates for the cache you must visit these 12 locations to obtain information from the plaques. It’s important to print a copy of the town trail map beforehand to help obtain the locations of each of the plaques. I have been given kind permission to reproduce the map from Kilmarnock & District History Group. A copy of the map can be found in the photos or by clicking here
Each of the clues can be found by reading the small-lettered inscription (not the title) on the 12 plaques. They can be done in any order. For a bit of extra fun I have deliberately missed out the coordinates of the plaques but if you can’t find any please email me and I’ll provide you with the coordinates or alternatively a photo of the plaque.
The given coordinates is the start of the final stage of the Kilmarnock Town Trail and the location of "The Kilmarnock Floods". Free parking is available at the nearby carpark.
34. Kilmarnock Floods – In 1994 how many days of torrential rain caused flooding? - Answer = A
35. Dairy School – (no plaque)
36. Site of the Former Tram Depot – How many times does the word “line” appear in the small-lettered inscription? - Answer = C
37. Wallace Plaque – Fire Station – (no plaque)
38. Riccarton Churchyard - Grave of Rev. Alexander Moodie – How many of Robert Burns’ poems is Rev Moodie mentioned in? - Answer = F
39. Hill of Judgement – In which year was the church completed?- Answer = 18E5
40. The Bickering Bush – How many English soldiers challenged William Wallace?- Answer = D
41. Glenfield & Kennedy – What number is mentioned on the 4th line of the inscription? - Answer = H
42. Glencairn St. and Square – Due to a fire how many people were made homeless?- Answer = K00
43. Graveyard of former St. Andrew's Glencairn Church - Grave of Johnnie Walker – How many times does the word “Walker” appear in the small-lettered inscription? - Answer = G
44. Site of Former Saxone Factory – How many people from Kilmarnock worked at Saxone in it’s heyday? - Answer = J000
45. Site of Kilmarnock House – When was Kilmarnock House demolished? - Answer = 193B
46. Old Sheriff Court – St Marnock Street – (no plaque)
47. Site of Johnnie Walker's shop - In what year was the shop set up? - Answer = 182L
48. Old Town Bridge - Sandbed – How many times does the word “bridge” or “bridges” appear in the small-lettered inscription? - Answer = M
You should now have 11 numbers. The cache is hidden at N55 AB.(C&D)(F&H)H W004 KL.(M&E)(B&G)(E&J)
You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.
The cache is hidden near a building which was built in 1904. The original building was one of the earliest component parts of the West of Scotland College of Agriculture. Please be careful when placing the cache and hold onto the cache itself when unscrewing the cap - it might be muggled if it isn't placed correctly.
All of the plaques are wheelchair accessible but the final location isn't. If you need any help locating the plaques please email me. My email address can be found on my profile page.
Please replace the cache carefully to reduce the chance of it being muggled. Please remove any litter that has gathered at GZ as I did when placing the cache.
FTF - Scottieb0y