It is the birthplace of William Murdoch, the pioneer of gas lighting and home to James Boswell, the biographer of Samuel Johnson. Boswell was born in Edinburgh 1740, the son of Lord Auchinleck, a prominent advocate. On his father's deathbed in 1782, Boswell succeeded to the family estate of Auchinleck. Auchinleck House is now protected as a category A listed building, and is home to the Boswell Book Festival, held annually in May.
Until the late 1980s, mining was the main occupation of the local people and the town's Millennium Clock is a four-sided tower in the shape of pit winding gear, a tribute to the area's heritage and history. Shopping and eating out is available within the town.
Dumfries House is situated only 3.5 miles away.
