Formed in 1899, the club competes in the West of Scotland Football League, and are eligible to participate in the Scottish Cup.

Ninety years later, Kilwinning regained the Scottish Junior Cup with a 1–0 victory over Kelty Hearts, in a season which saw them win six out of the seven trophies available to them.

Historic maps of Kilwinning show the site of the present day Abbey Park to have been within an area known as "The Butts," an adaption of which may have led to the synonym.

Several years later the club began playing at Claremont Park, near to the now demolished Kilwinning East railway station.

At the start of the 2019–20 season they relocated to the Kilwinning Sports Club ground in Pennyburn on the outskirts of the town which was upgraded and renamed Buffs Park.

[17] In April 2020, the club agreed to buy the former Old Trafford floodlights from non-league York City to upgrade Buffs Park to SPFL standards,[18] however, the plan fell through.

[19] A seated stand was added ahead of the 2020-21 West of Scotland Football League season;[20] with the new floodlights following the next year.

[21] As of 29 January 2024[22] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.