A town in the Irvine Valley

The story
of a town.
The memories
of its people.

Start exploring
View across Darvel town centre towards the Irvine Valley
Darvel town centre and the Irvine Valley
01

Welcome

Some places are defined
by a single moment.
Darvel isn’t.

For generations, this small town has continually remade itself. It has been home to farmers and weavers, lace makers and engineers, inventors and musicians, volunteers and organisers.

Every generation has added something of its own. Discover Darvel brings those stories together: the history we inherited, the places around us and the memories still being made.

Whether you have lived here all your life, are returning after years away, or have only just found the town, there is always another Darvel story to uncover.

02

Start exploring

Four ways into
the story.

03

Featured stories

Selected from the Darvel Bulletin and beyond

Alan McLeish featured in the Darvel Bulletin

Feature · Darvel Bulletin · Autumn 2026

One van.
One chainsaw.
One big idea.

Alan McLeish began with a £300 family loan and a determination to work. The company that followed grew from tree surgery into a major railway infrastructure business—without losing its Darvel roots.

Read the feature
04

More featured stories

Fresh stories
from across Darvel.

05

Visit Darvel

Come for the
landscape.
Stay for the story.

Find woodland and river walks, safe cycling paths for all the family. Combine a visit with one our events at The Corner.

Everyone carries a piece of the story.
06

Support Discover Darvel

What do you know
that the archive
doesn’t?

Discover Darvel is created and maintained by volunteers working with the Darvel & Area Regeneration Team. Photographs, programmes, documents, corrections and first-hand memories all help build a fuller record of the town.

Share something with us