Drongan, Rankinson & Stair
Drongan originally known as Taiglum, is a former mining village situated on the western edge of Ayrshire, some 8 miles from Ayr and 8 miles from Cumnock.
In 1946, it was proposed that Drongan should be developed as a ʻnew townʼ and families from various small mining communities were also re-housed in Drongan.
Rankinston is situated approximately 12 miles south-east of the town of Ayr. The village was built to allow coal miners who worked in the local pits to have housing close to their work. The village has gone from a bustling mining village with over 800 residents to a rural village of approximately 260 residents.
Stair is midway between Mauchline, Ochiltree, Drongan and Tarbolton villages. The River Ayr serves as a boundary to the north and west of the locality. The area is mostly agricultural with some spectacular scenery. It has been identified as a ‘hidden treasure’ of East Ayrshire.
The population of Drongan has declined over the past decade from 3,003 in 2001 to 2921 in the 2011 Census. The most significant population reduction is reported in the number of children being reduced by 13.7% in the last 10 years. The number of pensioners has increased by 16.6% over the same period.