A sizeable village near to the western boundary of East Ayrshire, Crosshouse lies on the Carmel Water, 2 miles (3 km) west of Kilmarnock and a similar distance south southwest of Kilmaurs. The village was once at the centre of coal-mining and brick-making industries, surrounded by collieries at Busbie, Plann, Thornton and Windyedge. Crosshouse later became important for its enormous Massey-Ferguson tractor plant at Moorfield, although this entered receivership in 1977. Crosshouse Hospital, which lies immediately to the east of the village, opened in 1984 and is the principal general hospital for East and North Ayrshire.
Born in Crosshouse was Andrew Fisher (1862 - 1928), who became Prime Minister of Australia on three occasions. He has a memorial in the village.
