Event Photos here

Brothers Pat and Greg Kane first made their mark back in the late ‘80s with hugely successful albums Seduced and Abandoned and Remote, spawning smash hit singles such as “Labour of Love”, “Violently” and “Looking for Linda”. After a break from the pop scene, the brothers have recently released “Open Soul”, their first album in over 16 years.

They will perform a special piano & vocal set, topping the bill at the rally on Sunday which will also feature a number of other local musicians and performers, including Centre Stage Male Choir, You Already Know, The Jeizuberband and The Symptoms.

Scots comedian and entertainer Hardeep Singh Kohli will host the event

Confirmed speakers include First Minister, Alex Salmond MSP, Len McLuskey, Assistant General Secretary, Unite, Des Brown MP, Willie Coffey MSP, John Quigley, Regional Secretary, Unite, Michael Johnston, Kilmarnock Football Club, and Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council. Hue and Cry will take to the stage following the platform speeches and local poet Rab Wilson will give his first recital of an exclusive piece, entitled Stridin Forrit!’, especially commissioned for the event.

The march starts at the Howard Park at 1pm, with musical entertainment commencing there at 12pm. The marchers will then head up John Finnie Street, under the arches and up Hill Street where they will march past the Johnnie Walker plant, before progressing on to Witch Road, down Dean Lane onto Strawberrybank Road finishing at the Kay Park.

The rally in Kay Park will include entertainment for all the family including music, face painting and bouncy castles, with refreshments available. Full details on the running order will be available in due course.

View march details

The ‘Keep Striding Forward’ march and rally will be held in Kilmarnock on Sunday 26 July as part of the Keep Johnnie Walker in Kilmarnock campaign.

View a map of the route

The march will start from the Howard Park at 1pm where there will be musical entertainment from 12pm. The marchers will then head up John Finnie Street and under the arches at the railway station to Hill Street where they will march past the Johnnie Walker factory. The march will then head to Witch Road, down Dean Lane onto Strawberrybank Road finishing at the Kay Park at approximately 2.30pm with a mass rally.

The rally in Kay Park will include entertainment for all the family including music, face painting and bouncy castles and there will be refreshments available.

The Council will be providing some small hand held flags, badges, stickers and placards for the march however if you wish to make your own placard the Council will be providing two A3 colour posters per person from local offices and libraries for this purpose.

Car parking for the march and the rally will be within Kilmarnock Football Club, the car park of the former Safeway site and St Joseph’s Academy car park. Please do not park in the vicinity of Kay Park and please ensure that you park responsibly.

Johnnie Walker March – Sunday 26 July 2009

During the march the following roads will not be available to vehicular traffic. Please seek alternative routes :-

The roads will return to normal as the march progresses. Your co-operation in this matter is most appreciated.

Map of Route

A printable route of the march is available here – Johnnie Walker Map

Campaign Office
KEEP JOHNNIE WALKER IN KILMARNOCK