Situated on the Annick Water, 5 miles (8 km) north of Kilmarnock in East Ayrshire, the town of Stewarton developed from the 16th Century, specialising in the manufacture of bonnets and 'regimental headgear', particularly Tam o' Shanter and Glengarry bonnets, which earned it the nickname 'The Bonnet Town'. From the 19th century, it produced other textiles such as woollens, lace and hosiery; Stewarton has also engaged in engineering and copper production.
The industrialist David Dale (1739 - 1840) was born in Stewarton, and there is a railway station in the village.