William McCrae (1811 - 1883) William McCrae was born on 17 Sep 1811 in New Cumnock. He was one of at least four children born to agricultural labourer Robert McRae (1777- 1862) and his wife Elizabeth Hair (1776- ). Old Cumnock and New Cumnock are two separate towns in East Ayrshire, Scotland, created when the original parish of Cumnock was divided in 1650. Old Cumnock (often referred to simply as Cumnock) is the larger, historic market town, while New Cumnock developed separately about six miles away, centred around a new church built near Cumnock Castle. Historically, Old Cumnock was a market town and burgh of barony (1509), while New Cumnock is known for its connection to the castle and mining heritage.