Darvel
Darvel or Dervel (population 3,361) is a small town in East Ayrshire, Scotland. It is at the eastern end of the Irvine Valley and is occasionally referred to as "The Lang Toon" (English: the Long Town). The community's Latin slogan, Non sibi sed cunctis, implies "Except ourselves, but for others". Darvel is positioned on the A71 road that ranges from Irvine on the west coast to Edinburgh on the eastern. The town is 9 miles (14 km) eastern of Kilmarnock and is one of the most easterly of the Valley Towns, the others being Galston as well as Newmilns. The town was also when related to Stonehouse (by means of Strathaven) by the Caledonian Railway. Nevertheless, the line was closed by the LMS prior to the 2nd World War. The previous Glasgow as well as South Western Railway branch line to Kilmarnock made it through for much longer as well as was closed in 1964 as part of the Beeching Axe. Much of the course of both the old railway lines is still out there, although the rails have actually long since gone and also several road bridges have been removed. There was a large viaduct to the eastern of the community, in the lea of Loudoun Hill, which brought the railway line over the valley. This was nevertheless, destroyed in 1986, and just the piers stay. The River Irvine flows through the town and when powered local mills.
