An interesting part of Kilmarnock’s 20th century literary heritage is the series of travel books written by William Munro. These were written and published in Kilmarnock around the early 1900s, often by D. Brown & Co. Some, for example the Shetland book below, were reprinted from the Kilmarnock Standard.

The books essentially detail Munro’s holidays in a relaxed and chatty (for the time) style – “What I did during the Grozet Fair”. His travel writing takes in Peebles, Dunblane, St Andrews, Montrose, Brechin, Nottingham, Taymouth Castle, Keswick, and in the case of the holiday below, Edinburgh.

Even at this time, Munro is bemoaning the diminishing stature of the local Grozet Fair, where he remembers shows and attractions that would keep people in the town during their holidays. Instead, he sees that local people are being drawn off on their travels, even to Paisley or Glasgow to see the shows.

William Munro was a Baillie of Kilmarnock around the turn of the 20th century (most of his books are credited to Ex-Bailie Munro). He also wrote articles for the Kilmarnock Standard and local magazines Auld Killie and St Marnock. He was President of the Kilmarnock Burns Club in 1912 and as convener of the Town Council’s Books Committee, played a key role in the development of the Ayrshire Collection. Beyond his official capacity, he was a partner in Gilmour & Smith, preserve manufacturers based at Glencairn Preserve Works. Perhaps his literary leanings influenced the use of the Burns Monument on the firm’s advertisement!