industrial town, East Ayrshire council area, historic county of Ayrshire, southwestern Scotland. It lies along Kilmarnock Water south of the metropolitan complex of Glasgow.

Although it became a burgh in 1591, it was not until the 17th century that it became important for its manufacture of “Kilmarnock cowls” (Scottish bonnets). Later it acquired a reputation for carpets, which it still maintains. It is also well known for its engineering industries, whisky blending (established in 1820 by Johnny Walker, a local grocer), and dairy products.

The town still possesses the historic core of “the streets an' neuks of Killie,” celebrated by Robert Burns (Burns, Robert), whose poems were first printed there in 1786. The Burns memorial in Kay Park includes a museum. Pop. (2004 est.) 44,170.