What are the winters like in Kilmarnock?

[Jedimastermama]

We are moving there very soon. Just wanted to know what to expect, having lived in London all my life.
Thanks

Rainy.
Nay snow.

Rainy. No different from the rest of southern Scotland really.
London to Kilmarnock, that will be a culture shock!

I’ve lived quite close to Kilmarnock and in London, the main difference is it is a lot wetter. Rains a lot in the West Coast of Scotland, a lot colder too, Summer temperatures nowhere near the SE, we get two days of above 22 degrees and the place goes mad. We have a lovely Scottish word for the weather dreich meaning rainy cold, grey and damp. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but the weather is not one of the plus points up here. But your close to some fabulous beaches, check out the Isle of Arran, your close to Glasgow and Loch Lomond, down to the borders, it’s quite central. Ayrshire’s a funny place can be quite insular everybody knows everybody but coming from London house prices are cheap there’s seaside and countryside next to each other.

There’s been a fair bit of flooding in the town recently so hope you’re not moving to Shortlees.

Winters are ok, just normal Scottish weather really!

Ayrshire’s a funny place can be quite insular everybody knows everybody

Kilmarnock is a very large town with a population of over 45,000. I've been here for 28 years, certainly don't know everyone but have always found most people very open and welcoming.

Winters are cold and wet. This year summer was also very wet. :(

What area are you moving to in kilmarnock?

Same as the rest of Scotland bar the highlands. Mostly dreich. Cold but rarely very, very cold.

@sweetkitty according to Google 366800 live in Ayrshire. You talk about it as if it’s a sleepy hamlet!

Good thing about Kilmarnock is that it's close to Glasgow < ducks >

Seriously though, it's in the middle of lovely countryside - not too fat from the sea and not too far from Glasgow.

Unless things have improved since I worked in Kilmarnock (admittedly many years ago now ), the shopping centre in Kilmarnock is (or was) pretty dilapidated. There are some interesting villages around it though - eg iirc, there is a really good cycle shop in Kilmaurs.

Your moving from London to Kilmarnock?
God love you.

Unless things have improved since I worked in Kilmarnock (admittedly many years ago now blush), the shopping centre in Kilmarnock is (or was) pretty dilapidated.

Hasn't improved. I live in kilmarnock and haven't been in shopping, except for the bank, for years! Silverburn is less than 20 mins up the road.

It's wet. All the time. PILS live in Ayrshire. It has never been dry in the 13 years I have been visiting them.

Sometimes it does snow in Killie.
Great access to Glasgow.
Not the most salubrious of places. Depends where abouts you’re moving to.
Best of luck!

In the 2 years I worked in Kilmarnock and commuted from Glasgow , there was only a couple of occasions that there was snow in Kilmarnock (and only a thin layer at that) and only a couple more that I had to be careful going over the Fenwick Moor because of snow.

The West Coast is generally wetter than London - you need to get used to carrying an umbrella/have a hood in case of rain (a habit I'd got out of when I moved to Bolton (and from there to Glasgow) after 10 years of living on the East Coast (St Andrews then Welwyn - got wet a few times before I remembered ).

But we do still get sunny spells weather

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned the wind. It's the big difference I noticed when I moved back from London (albeit not to Kilmarnock). A breezy or windy day in London is much rarer than a windy or breezy day up here. Makes it feel colder than it is.

In Scotland it's absolutely normal to see business people etc in raincoats - you just can't rely on umbrellas.

Good luck with your move.

Compared to London it will feel like a sleepy hamlet! I know Kilmarnock a big town but it’s like any it’s broken up into wee bits. It certainly isn’t like living in a city.

Do you have DC OP, the Scottish school system is really different to the English one?

I moved back to Scotland(East Kilbride) after being in London for 30 years. The only thing I miss is the weather. You will notice a difference but I'm happy to tolerate as I'd had my fill of London but still enjoy wee trips back now and then. I'm pleasantly surprised how many people from London on here have moved to Scotland perhaps we should start a club . X

It always snows in Kilmarnock

We've had snow here for the past couple of years - but it seems to show up in February/March.

It'll mainly be wet and windy over the winter. Kilmarnock has had some flooding even over the summer.

Good luck with your move, I think you're in for a culture shock!

I've lived all over the world, Melbourne, Mumbai, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Exeter and Crieff (highlands).

I have now settled in Kilmarnock (4years) with my family. Our house is huge we live on the edge of the town with views over countryside to Arran.

Yes it will be a culture change moving from London to Killie but there are loads of plus points.

I do notice it is wetter here than anywhere else I have lived but not as cold or windy as the East coast.

It is rarely very, very cold (subzero) and much milder than east during winter in general.

Good luck with the move!

Thank you all for your replies 😀
Moving to Ayrshire with OH, our toddler and we have a baby on the way.
It will be nice getting to know folks and the community. Want to feel part of a community.

London has become to hectic, noisy and unpleasant at times. It’s just not my cup of tea anymore and don’t want to raise my children here.

Looking forward to the move up north!

Good luck with your move and the new baby. X

One weird thing to know about Kilmarnock is that they do Halloween on the closest Friday whereas the rest of Ayrshire do it on the 31st like everyone else.

@OneBiscuitAtATime That’s a very valid point. Weirdos 😂😂

It's wet and windy, bit of snow February/early March. I'm 20 mins from Kilmarnock. It's not my favourite town tbh but friendly enough and so close to both Glasgow and the coast. Best of luck op keep us updated!