Scotland > 1868, 1878 - Slater's (late Pigot & Co.'s) Royal national commercial directory and topography of Scotland > 1861

&grgf)tre, plater's?
trict of Ayrshire is shut out, on its eastern boundary, from the adjacent counties, by high ridgy land ;
and, with little variation, the surface inclines either to the sea, or to the rivers which flow in that direc-
tion. The sea coast is mostly sandy, and indented with several excellent harbours. Abundance of sea-
weed is thrown on the shore, from which great quantities of kelp are annually made; and the coasts are
admirably adapted for white fishing. In the rocks are several remarkable caves, worthy the inspection
of the furious. The principal eminences are, Knock-Dokon, 930; Knock-Nounan, 1,540; Carleton,
1,554 ; Knock-Dow, 1,5">4 ; Cairnt.ible, 1,600 ; and Knock- Doll i an, 2,000 feet above the level of the sea.
There are many elegant seats belonging to the nobility and sentry of the kingdom ; among the principal
owners are the Earl of Glasgow, the Earl of Eglinton, the i ail ot' Cassillis, the Duke of Portland, the
Marquess of Bute, and the noble family of Hastings. To the south of Irvine stands the ancient castle
of Dundonald, once a royal residence, aud afterwards the family seat of the Ochranes, Earls of
Dundonald.
Lroduce. Manufactures. Minerals, &c. — It was not until about the middle of %e eighteenth
century, that the inhabitants of Ayrshire beuau to discover and avail themselves of its capabilities as an
agricultural district. The settlement, at this period of Margaret, Countess of Loudoun, in Lorn Castle,
may be deemed the epoch of efficient improvement; by her great assiduity, precept and example, agricul-
ture was promoted mid encouraged ; and in a short time the nobility and gentry of Ayrshire began in
earnest to improve their estates upon systematic principles, under the skilful direction of intelligent
stewards. Fanners were invited by them from the more southern shires, to instruct the tenantry in the
management of land according to the most approved methods of the experienced agriculturist. Observing
the peculiarities of the climate, aud ascertaining the nature of thesoil,thejudicious culture of the various
species of grasses became a primary object, and the general adoption of dairy farms was the natural
consequence ; this system has been persevered in, and (he dairies in this district are superior, perhaps,
to any others in Scotland : the value of their product in milk and butter is very considerable, and
'Dunlop ' cheese is unrivalled throughout the country, finding a ready market wheresoever offered, and
Ayrshire may now be reckoned as the Cheshire of Scotland. The breed of cattle has likewise been
much improved. As agriculture thus successfully progressed, excellent roads were formed, and these
have recently been followed up by railways for the transmission of heavy goods and persons. From
the fostered spirit of industry, and the enhanced value of land, resulted a corresponding exertion for
the establishment of manufactures: the abundance of fuel — the plenty and cheapness of the neces-
saries of life, materials for building, and means of transit to the large towns in the adjacent shires —
presented facilities for this purpose which were obvious and encouraging. The manufacture of stock-
ings, carpets, cloths, and bonnets extended generally, but Kilmarnock became the most noted. At
the capital of the county Lave been established dyeworks, woollen manufactories, iron foundries, exten-
sive and numerous steam-engine manufactories, and chemical works ; at Catrine, well-known andexten-
sive cotton works; at Cumnock is an extensive pottery ; at Irvine is a large brick aud drain tile manu-
factory, likewise a chain, cable and anchor woiks, and Muirkirk is noted for its ponderous iron works.
On reference to the table of population given below, it will be perceived that during the teu years between
1841 and 51, the population of this county had increased upwards of 25,000, since the last mentioned
period the increase has been still greater. This large addition to the population, is in a great measure
owing to the prosperous manufacturing state of the county. Ayrshire possesses inexhaustible coal-
fields, freestone quarries, and ironstone mines % with several rich ores, particularly those of lead and cop-
per ; marble, gypsum, and marl have been found, and black lead has been discovered ; fireproof stone
and whetstone are obtained, and many petrefactions exist in various parts of the county. In the hills
of Carrick are agates, porphyries, and other valuable fossils ; and traces of antimony have not escaped
the searching eye of the mineralogist.
Kivers, Lakes, Springs, and Raii ways.— In the ridge of hills which intersect the district of Car-
rick, almost all the rivers in the south originate. The Tweed, the Esk, the Nith, the Annan, the Urr,
and others, flow to the east aud south ; while the Strinchar, the Girvan, the Doon, the Ayr, and the
Lugar, traverse the county, and pour their fruitful streams into the Irish channel. Besides these, the
Irvine, and some smaller rivers, water the noithern parts of Ayrshire. All these abound with sai mon,
trout, and other fresh water fish. In the midst of so many minerals, a number of springs impreg nated
by their qualities are to be expected ; and indeed almost every parish has its mineral water, though none
have attained the dignity of spas. There are various inland lakes, particularly in Carrick— the most
extensive being Loch Doon, from whence the Doon river flows. Ayrshire participates extensively in
the conveniences afforded to commerce and general transit by Railways, and there are several impor-
tant lines and branches now in operation, and others progressing. The following are the principal, aud
■ their names are indicative of their destinations:— the ' Glasgow, Paisley, Ayr and Kilmarnock Kail-
way,' besides those places, takes in its route by branches from the main line Newmilns and Muirkirk ;
the ' Scotch Western' includes, by branch, Irvine among other towns; the 'Glasgow, Kilwinning, and
Ardrossan ' visits those places ; and the 'Glasgow and South Western,' which passes direct through
the county, gives direct communication with all paits south. It is in contemplation to construct a
brand' from Maybolejunction to Girvan.
1 cclfsiasiical and Civil Divisions, &c. — The whole of Ayrshire was formerly comprehended in
the bishopric of Glasgow; and it formed three deaneries, corresponding with the three divisions before
mentioned. The county now comprises forty-six parishes, forming two presbyteries iu the Synod of Ayr
and Glasgow. The contributory burghs (or those which, in conjunction with others, are represented
in the senate), belonging to this county, are Ayr and Irvine ; one member also represents the shire at
large.
336