Bellsbank is a village half a mile away from the market town of

Dalmellington Dalmellington ( sco, Dawmellinton, gd, Dail M'Fhaolain) is a market town and civil parish in East Ayrshire, Scotland. In 2001 the village had a population of 1,407. The town owes its origins to the fault line separating the Southern Uplands of ...

East Ayrshire East Ayrshire ( sco, Aest Ayrshire; gd, Siorrachd Àir an Ear) is one of thirty-two council areas of Scotland. It shares borders with Dumfries and Galloway, East Renfrewshire, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire. The headquart ...

, Scotland. It is the second-highest place in

; only Muirkirk is higher than this. Bellsbank is now classed as a separate town from Dalmellington.

History

Bellsbank was originally established to provide housing for the population of Benquhat (one of several "ghost" villages in the Doon Valley that have been demolished). Expanded between the wars to house miners from worked out areas that were relocated there. Laid out by the County Council the houses looked out over Bogton Loch, Craigengillan Estate and the Loch Doon Hills.

Educational provision

Bellsbank welcomed a new primary school in February 2020, to replace the old school opened in 1955. The new school was built in the grounds of the old school and opened to pupils on the 9th of February 2020. The current head teacher is Donald Currie.

Awards and accolades

Bellsbank was the winner of the Scottish Civic Trust - My Place Award thanks to the partnership between East Ayrshire Council and community group CANI in the Community. Bellsbank has also gained media attention due to a scheme by East Ayrshire Council in partnership with CANI in the Community and the local Primary School in which houses were rendered in pastel colours to improve the look of the village following years of decline.

References

External links

Villages in East Ayrshire Dalmellington {{EastAyrshire-geo-stub