It has been more than a month since East Ayrshire – like the rest of the United Kingdom – went into lockdown.
Our towns and villages have been silenced as we all pull together in the bid to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
Streets that were busy with people and local enterprise are now deserted as residents young and old heed the advice to stay indoors.
The roads are noticeable for the drop in traffic. Visitors, in the main, are staying away while the enthusiasm and excitement of young students is nowhere to be seen with schools closed indefinitely.
These continue to be strange times as we adapt and adjust to our ‘temporary normal’.
And it is important to remember that this challenging period we are living through is only for a while.
COVID-19 doesn’t have a timetable but one day, sooner rather than later, we will be able to venture beyond our front doors and pop to the cafes, pubs, shops and various attractions which mean so much to us.
Recently we produced a photo essay of Kilmarnock’s deserted streets as the UK went into lockdown.
Today, we publish images showing what life in lockdown is like throughout Kilmaurs, Stewarton and the Irvine Valley.
Kilmarnock Standard photographer Steve McKendrick hit the road with his camera and maintained social distancing measures to capture these pictures during a time it is fair to say we will never forget.
