Scotland/Scots > Black's picturesque tourist of Scotland

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GLASGOW TO AYR AND THE LAND OP BDRNS.
and shawls of silk and cotton, plaids, scarfs, chenile, and Canton crape
shawls and handkerchiefs, silks, and Persian velvets, are at present the
staple manufacture of the town. Paisley is 7 miles from Glasgow, and
33 from Ayr. Population, 47,920. Returns one member to Parliament.
[Imi: The Saracen’s Head.]
A short distance from Paisley, the line passes on the left the straggling
village of Elderslie. Here, near the turnpike road, is the oak in which,
according to tradition, Sir William Wallace, the “ Knight of Elderslie,”
concealed himself from the English troops. Elderslie House, which
stands at a short distance, appears to he of later erection than the era of
the hero. About three miles from Paisley, situated on the banks of the
Black Cart river, is Johnstone, a thriving seat of the cotton manufacture,
and contains a population of 5872. In the vicinity of the town are
Milliken House, the seat of Sir Wr. M. Napier, Bart., and Houston House
(Mrs. Cunningham). A short way further on is the village of Kilbarchan,
with a population of 2467. The superiors of this village, in ancient times,
were the Sempills of Beltrees, a family in which poetical talent was long
hereditary. Sir James Sempill, ambassador to England in 1599, wrote
the satire of “ The Packman and the Priest.” His son, Robert Sempill,
was the author of the poem entitled, “ The Life and Death of the Piper of
Kilbarchan.” Francis, the son of this poet, wrote the well-known songs,
“ Maggie Lauder,” and “ She rose and loot me in.” A few years ago, a
statue of Habbie Simpson, the piper above mentioned, was affixed to
the steeple of the Town-Hall. About two miles after leaving the Coch-
ranemill Station, the line is carried through a rich strath, celebrated for
its agreeable scenery. On the right are the extensive and highly orna¬
mented pleasure-grounds of Castle Semple, the seat of Colonel Harvey,
and on the left (above the public road to Beith) are the ruins of Elliston
Tower, formerly the seat of the Sempill family. The tourist now
reaches
Lochwinnoch village, situated on the side of Castle Semple Loch, near
the bottom of a range of hills, [/nras: The Black Bull; The Wheat
Sheaf.] 15i miles from Glasgow. At a short distance to the west of it is
Barr Castle, supposed to have been built in the fifteenth century. In the
vicinity is Barr House (W. Macdowell, Esq.) Castle Semple Loch is
about a mile in length, and contains three wooded islets, on one of which
are the remains of a fortalice, erected in ancient times by a Lord Sempill.
About 18 miles from Glasgow is Beith, in the vicinity of which are
the ruins of Giffen Castle, formerly a stronghold of the Montgomerie
family, and further on, near the River Garnock, are the remains of the
ancient castle of Glengamock, the property of the Earl of Glasgow, and
the village of Kilbirnie, situated on the sheet of water called Kilbirnie
Loch, extending about two miles in length and half a mile in breadth.
Two and a half miles from this and 22 from Glasgow, is the thriving