 In 1950, thirteen people were killed in a mining disaster at the Knockshinnoch Castle Colliery; a film was made about the disaster called The Brave Don't Cry and there is a memorial at the site of the disaster.The Scottish Wildlife Trust took over the Knockshinnoch Bing, turning into a wetland reserve with paths.One of the first mentions of the village was when Patrick Dunbar of Comenagh signed the Ragman Roll of 1296.