Barkip,[1] also known as The Den, is a hamlet in North Ayrshire, Scotland about three miles (five kilometres) southwest of Beith on the A737 road to Dalry.

[3] It is not clear when or why the name 'The Den' started to be used although it appears in the local press as both in 1898,[4] however in Scots as in old English[5] one meaning is 'A hollow between hills,' which is certainly an accurate description of the geography of the area that Barkip lies in.

[11] In March 1898, a local paper reported a complaint that a dance had taken place at the Kersland Barony school and Kirk that had lasted into the small hours.

[4] That same month, students at the Kersland Barony evening continuation classes presented their teachers, Mr Deans and Miss Lorraine, with gifts of appreciation.

The Rev A Leslie chaired the event and Miss Lorraine was presented with an inscribed umbrella, whilst Mr Deans had a silver walking stick as his recognition.

[4] An 1876 publication, Catalogue of the western Scottish fossils, documented finds in Barkip's coal and ironstone pits and sandstone quarries, including that of Rhizodus, Gyracanthus, and Cladodus.

[1][4] It was reported in 1898 that Sunday drinking resulted in men lying around drunk in the Maulside plantations and some were playing cards.

[4] Jame Walker is recorded as being born on 4 September 1795 and lived at 20 Fore Row, 23 Barkip, The Den.

Robert Stevenson D.D., minister of Dalry 1844–1890, caused to be erected the Kersland Barony Chapel and school.

The facility has the capacity to process up to 75,000 tonnes-a-year of residual waste and has been designed to produce up to 2.5 megawatts (MW) of renewable electricity.