a borough of barony, and market-town of Scotland, county of Ayr, is pleasantly situated on a hill 5 miles from the sea, and 9 S. of Ayr. The town is well built, especially the ancient part, owing to its having been formerly the residence of many of the aristocracy, as the capital of the district of Carrick. The town possesses several specimens of baronial residences, among which the most remarkable is the castle, which was formerly occupied by the Earls of Cassilis, and now by a factor of the Marquis of Ailsa. The parish church is a large but clumsy building; and there are also Free, United Presbyterian, and Wesleyan churches. Maybole has besides several schools, libraries, a savings-bank, and other institutions. The inhabitants are employed to a considerable extent in handloom weaving. West of the town stand the ruins of Crossraguel Abbey, one of the abots of which, Quintin Kennedy, held a disputation with John Knox in Maybole in 1561. This discussion lasted for three days, and ended unsatisfactorily, both disputants claiming the victory. The house where the disputation took place is now the Red Lion Inn. Pop. (1851) 3862.