| Static Image Name: | Muirkirk - geograph.org.uk - 38793.jpg |
| Static Image Caption: | Muirkirk main street, showing the junction at the centre of the village |
| Official Name: | Muirkirk |
| Country: | Scotland |
| Map Type: | Scotland |
| Population Ref: | |
| Os Grid Reference: | NS697274 |
| Coordinates: | 55.5219°N -4.0667°W |
| Language: | English |
| Language1: | Scots |
| Post Town: | CUMNOCK |
| Postcode Area: | KA |
| Postcode District: | KA18 |
| Dial Code: | 01290 |
| Gaelic Name: | Eaglais an t-Slèibh |
| Unitary Scotland: | East Ayrshire |
| Lieutenancy Scotland: | Ayrshire and Arran |
| Constituency Westminster: | Kilmarnock and Loudoun |
| Constituency Scottish Parliament: | Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley |
Muirkirk (Gaelic; Scottish Gaelic: Eaglais an t-Slèibh) is a small village in East Ayrshire, southwest Scotland. It is located on the north bank of the River Ayr, between Cumnock and Glenbuck on the A70.
The Muirkirk & North Lowther Uplands Special Protection Area was set up to protect the populations of breeding hen harrier (Circus cyaneus), golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria), merlin (Falco columbarius), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and short-eared owl (Asio flammeus).
As of 2019, the estimated population of Muirkirk is 1,386.[1]
The village developed around its church, which was built in 1631, and was a fertile recruiting ground for the Covenanter movement.
The village partook in curling since at least 1750, and has one of the earliest written accounts of this, by the minister, Rev John Sheppard.[2]
In recent times, the village has fallen into decline due to its geographic isolation and the collapse of its coal and iron industries, but attempts are being made at regeneration through the Muirkirk Enterprise Group which was set up in 1999.