Located on the River Garnock, 2 miles (3 km) north of Kilwinning in North Ayrshire, Dalgarven is home to the Museum of Ayrshire Country Life and Costume with collections of tools, furniture and room settings unique either to Ayrshire or to rural life. Opened to the public on 8th May 1987, the museum occupies a restored former grain mill that was built in 1880 and includes a working water-wheel which drives millstones through cast-iron gearing. The exhibition occupies three floors of the former granary, while the machinery was rescued from a mill in the Scottish Borders. There was a waulk mill on this site in 1203, which was the property of Kilwinning Abbey. A grain and flour mill was built in 1614 and this was bought by local landowners, the Blairs of Blair Castle, in 1622. The original buildings were reconstructed following a fire in 1869. It was sold to the Ferguson family in 1922 and the son of the last miller created the museum, forming a charitable trust to ensure its future. The museum holds a substantial archive of photographs, drawings, newspapers and records. Also within the grounds are an antiques centre, riverside walk and cafe.
