Actually the closest river to my house less than two minute's walk away! Sometimes called The River Marnock, after the saint but more commonly the full 'Kilmarnock Water', I have become increasingly fond of it the longer I live nearby. I walk alongside its banks several times a week. The confluence of Fenwick Water and Craufurdland Water form this river just north of Dean Road in Dean Castle Park. Almost immediately, the river becomes the notorious Dean Ford which is so often flooded and impassible to traffic. A new bridge has been promised by the council since goodness knows when it was supposed to be finally built in January 2012 but nothing whatsoever has happened. Many people have become stuck in their cars when trying to drive through deep water. I was nearly one of them when I took a chance last winter something I will never do again as it was a hair-raising, and almost extremely embarrassing, experience!! Kilmarnock Water then winds itself through Kay Park into the town centre, then flows under the bridge beside Henderson Church on London Road, skirts Howard Park and eventually joins the River Irvine just south of the town. read more