Bellsbank is a village half a mile away from the market town of Dalmellington in East Ayrshire, Scotland. It is the second-highest place in East Ayrshire; only Muirkirk is higher than this. Bellsbank is now classed as a separate town from Dalmellington.

Bellsbank
Village
Bellsbank View Bellsbank viewed from the south side of Bogton Loch.
Bellsbank is located in East Ayrshire
Bellsbank
Bellsbank
Location within East Ayrshire
Population1,260 (2022)[1]
OS grid referenceNS480045
Council area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Postcode districtKA6 7xx
Dialling code01292 55
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament
List of places
UK
Scotland
55°18′42″N 4°23′47″W / 55.311802°N 4.396416°W / 55.311802; -4.396416

History

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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

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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 9 February 2020. The current head teacher is Donald Currie.

Awards and accolades

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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

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  1. ^ "Mid-2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland". National Records of Scotland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.

[1]

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  1. ^ "East Ayrshire mining village paints its way out of deprivation". HeraldScotland. Retrieved 9 February 2021.