[3] The name Dalrymple comes from Gaelic meaning "flat field of the crooked pool or river".

There are two pubs, The Kirkton Inn; a hotel with self-catering studios, a restaurant, a hairdresser, shops, a chemist and post office, as well as a primary school.

The village is in the catchment area for high schools in Ayr, Maybole and Dalmellington.

Ayr is six miles (ten kilometres) north of Dalrymple by road.

The River Doon remains the boundary of the village on the southern end, and Purclewan Burn to the west and north.