Crosshouse
# Crosshouse

Crosshouse is a village in East Ayrshire about 3 kilometres (2 miles) west of Kilmarnock. It grew around the cross-roads of the main Kilmarnock to Irvine road, once classified as the A71 but now reduced in status to the B7081, with a secondary road (the B751) running from Kilmaurs south to Gatehead and beyond towards Prestwick. The Carmel Water, a tributary of the River Irvine, flows through the centre of the village. It had an estimated population of 2,690 in 2020

Andrew Fisher, who was the fifth Prime Minister of Australia, was born in the village and a plaque commemorating him is located at the road junction to Knockentiber.

## Health

The village is the location of a major hospital, Crosshouse Hospital, which was built to replace the Kilmarnock Infirmary.

## Transport

Crosshouse is served by the Stagecoach Group, running through from Kilmarnock to Irvine and Ardrossan.

## Education

The village is home to an old primary school, Crosshouse Primary, which caters for children from 4-11 years old. It also has a communication base for children on the autism spectrum. The village also contains a nursery school.

From 1873 until 1966 Crosshouse possessed a railway station situated at Knockentiber 1.4 km (7⁄8 mi) north of the village centre along the Kilmaurs road. It was the point at which the railway line from Kilmarnock divided, to Dalry to the north-west and Irvine to the west. The latter line has been converted into a walkway and cycleway.

