The Dick Institute

The Dick Institute is a public library, museum and art gallery in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, on the west coast of Scotland. The building opened in 1901 and VisitScotland rates it as a 4-star tourist attraction. It is a worthwhile stop if you want to understand local history and see a good range of art in a relaxed, regional setting.

What is The Dick Institute?

Three functions share one building. The ground floor holds East Ayrshire's central library, with lending and reference collections, audio-visual material and a children's library. The rest of the building houses the museum and the art gallery, so you will meet local residents borrowing books alongside visitors exploring the region's culture.

Who paid for it, and what is its history?

Local architect Robert Ingram designed the building, which was completed in 1901. It was funded by James Dick, a businessman known for pioneering rubber soles on shoes, and named after his older brother Robert. Dick also left many books and artefacts that formed the base of the collection. Around 1909 a fire badly damaged the building and destroyed part of the museum's holdings. It reopened in 1911.

What can you see in the museum and gallery?

The museum displays cover local, social and industrial history, including weaving and the Johnnie Walker whisky story associated with Kilmarnock, plus natural sciences. The gallery shows paintings, including works by Henry Raeburn, John Constable and Horatio McCulloch. Alongside the permanent displays, temporary exhibitions have featured Miffy, Quentin Blake, Wallace and Gromit, and Bill Viola. The venue also gives space to contemporary artists and to young people from the area.

Practical tips

• Location: Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland (about 55.608 N, 4.490 W).
• Accessibility: the recently refurbished building is fully accessible.
• Facilities: there is a cafe on site, which makes a longer visit easy.
• Opening hours: sources differ, so check the official East Ayrshire Leisure website before you go.
• Time needed: allow roughly 1.5 to 2 hours for the museum and gallery, longer if a major temporary exhibition is on.

Frequently asked questions

Is The Dick Institute a museum or a library? Both, and an art gallery too. All three operate in the same building.

When did it open? In 1901. After a fire around 1909 it was repaired and reopened in 1911.

Who founded it? James Dick, a pioneer of rubber soles on shoes. The name honours his older brother Robert.

Is it accessible for visitors with disabilities? Yes, following its recent refurbishment it is fully accessible.

Is it suitable for families? Yes. The library has a children's section, and temporary exhibitions often feature characters familiar to younger visitors, such as Miffy or Wallace and Gromit.

What else is nearby? Kilmarnock itself retains many traces of its industrial past, and other Ayrshire destinations are easy to reach from the town.