Mauchline

Mauchline, a town of Ayrshire, 12 miles ENE. of Ayr, and 10 SSE. of Kilmarnock. It has long been noted for its wooden snuff-boxes and similar nicknacks. There is a monument (1830) to five martyred covenanters; and 1 mile N. is Mossgiel, Burns's farm from 1784 till 1788; whilst in the village itself are 'Poosie Nancy's,' the scene of his Jolly Beggars, and Mauchline kirk, of his Holy Fair. Pop. 1456. See works by W. Jolly (1881) and the Rev. Dr Edgar (1886).