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

^grsinr.*,
Slater'
c
CATRINE IN SORN AND MAUCHLINE.
„ ATRINE is a thriving manufacturing village in the
parish of Sorn, 72 miles w.s.w. of Edinburgh, 32 s. of
Glasgow, 14 n.e. of Ayr, 12 s. s.w. of Kilmarnock,
5 n. from Old Cumnock, and 4 n. from Ochiltree ;
pleasantly situated nearly in the centre of ihe county,
on the north bank of tlie river Ayr. This place has risen
from insignificance to a considerable twwn. In 1787
its site contained only a blacksmith's shop and a meal
mill, while its present population numbers 2,500.
The cause of this surprisingly rapid increase is the
erection of cotton works bv the late Claud Alexander,
Esq. of Ballochmvle, who, having acquired a large
foitune in the East Indies, purchased the land for the
purpose of establishing works thereon, by winch he
might increase the value of his property here. But not
understanding the cotton business himself, he formed
a partnership with the late David Dale, meicnant ot
Glasgow, with whom he carried on the business until
the 13th. of April, 1801, when it was transferred to new
proprietors. These extensive works employ a large
number of hands; and excellent schools, with a library
of five hundred volumes are among the privileges en-
joyed by the work-people, who are in great part owners
of the houses in which thev live. Sorn Costle, about a
mile and a half from Canine, once the seat or the Lou-
don family, is now the property and residence ottiraham
Somervell, Esq. who, with Miss Faiquhar, Lady Bos-
well and Boyd Alexander, Esq. aiethe principal heritors
ofthe parish of Sorn— which .hounds with coal, lime-
stone, and ironstone. DusaldStewatt, Esq •
the late
Mauchline, a considerable town and capital of its
parish, is two miles and a half from Catrine ; situated]
in a pleasant part of the county, and surrounded on all
sides by a delightful country, interspersed with several
elegant* mansions. The weaving of cotton goods in this
as in all the towns ofthe neighbourhood, gives employ-
ment to many ofthe inhabitants. Besides thisbranch,
there is another arrived to great importance, and in
which three firms are established here — this is the
manufacture of a beautiful description of snuff boxes,
cigar cases, &c. Messrs. W. and A. Smith have Ion?
enjoyed the patronage o'f Royalty. The buildings ofthe
town are neat and possess an air of pleasing variety.
Mauchline Castle is an ancient hnilding well deserving
the notice of the antiquarian. There are several excel-
lent benevolent societies for the relief of sick members
and poor widows, and a bible society has been, for a
length of time, promoted with success. The parish
school is well conducted and numerously attended, as
also is the new educational institution, fouuded by
James Stewart, Esq., of Hauahhead. In this estab-
lishment fifty poor children are taught free, and the
remainder are charged a moderate sum. Burns resi-
ded several years ai Mossgiel,a small farm, about half
a mile to the north of Mauchline, on the left
side of the road from thence to Kilmarnock. The
steading may still be seen environed by a few trees, as
well as the fields, in traversing which, it is said, he
composed some of his best poems. His chief resort
when he visited Mauchline, was the public-house, kept
celebrated professor of moral philosopy in Edinburgh, by John Duw, which still siands— a thatched house of
was born in the neighbourhood of Canine. i two fiats, nearly opposite the churchyard gate. The
The parish of Sorn. is bounded on the east by cottage of ' Poosie Nancy,' or Mrs. Gibson, the scene
Muirkirk on the south by Auch'nleek, on the west by I ofthe 'Jolly Beggars,' stands more immediately oppo-
Mauchliu'e and mi the north bv Galsion and Strath- | site the churchyard gate. Mauchline kirk, the scene of '
aven • its form is nearly square," measuring about six j the ' Holy Fair,' was ofthe pure barn species. There
and a halt miles each way. Formerly this parish 1 is now an elegant new church, in the Gothic style, with ]
formed a part ofthe extensive one of Mauchline ; the a steeple. In the surrounding cemetery may be seen
parish church stands about three miles distant from ■ the graves of the Rev. Mr. Auld, Nanse Tiunock, audi
that villnge. The land, originally moorish, has been ! several other persons who figure in the satires ofBurus; -
much impioved and well inclosed ; and there are fine ; and on the banks of the Ayr, at a short distance from
Vmtations near the Avi\ which river runs through the j Mauchline, is the scene of some of the bard's more
Eurish, from east to west. pleasing poems— his lyrics particularly.
POST OFFICE Catrine, Jane M'Lachlan, Post Mistress.— Letters from all parts arrive every
morning at seven, and are ciespatched every afternoon at five minutes to three.
POST OFFICE Sorn, Elizabeth Dalglish, Post Mistress. — Letters arrive every morning at half-past
eight, and are despatched every afternoon at three.
POST OFFICE, Mauchline, Alexander M. Wilson, Post Master.— Letters from all parts arrive every
morniug at five, and are despatched every evening at five.
Monet/ Orders granted.
NOBILITY, GENTRY AND ,ACAPEMIES AND SCHOOLS
; Campbell Christina, Mauchline
clergy. i Catrine Company's School
Alexander Boyd, Esq. Ballochmylej Thomas Barclay, master
Baggier Rev. James B. Catrine i Established Church School,
Boswell Lady Jane, Auchenleck Canine— John Beard, master
Bowman Rev. Thomas, Catrine Established Church School,
Buchanan Archbd. Esq.Barskinning j Mauchline— Thos. Mitchell, mastr
Free Church School, Catrine —
Robert Stevenson, master
Kay Elizabeth, Sorn ^
Kay James, Sorn
Campbell Arthur, Esq. Catrine
Cam pbellMajorC.V.H. Nether place,
Mauchline
Campbell General — ,Auchmannock
FairlieRev.Geo.Free Church Manse | New Education Institution
FairlieRev James,.\lanse,Mauchline
Farquhar the Misses Margaret and
Jane, Gillmanscroft
Hamilton Colonel— (of We»t Port),
Cairnhill
Hamilton Doueal, Esq. Mauchline
Lambie Win. Esq. Green Side place
M'Gowan Rev. John, Catrine
Paterson Robt. Esq. Daldrich House
Rankine Andrew, Esq. J. p. Sorn
Rankine Rev. John, Manse, Sorn
Rankine William. Esq. Glenlogan
Reid Rev. John, Catrine
Somervell Graham, Esq. (of Hamil-
ton Farm), Sorn Castle
Thomas Rev. David, Mauchline
White Thomas, Esq. Swarstone
Woodrow Miss Jane, Mauchline
352
William Hugh Kilgoui and Jere
miah Louden, masters
Parochial ScHooL.Soru — Thomas
M' William, master
Parochial School, Auchencloich
— James, Watson, master
AGENTS FOR WEAVERS
Hood James, Mauchliue
Hood John, Catrine
Mitchell John, Mauchline
Patou Mrs. — , Mauchline
BAKERS
Ferguson William, Mauchline
Hamilton Thomas, Catrine
M'Kechnie David, Sorn
Miller Hugh, Mauchline
Walker James, Canine
i Wiison John, Canine
VO
BANKS
Commercial Bank of Scotland
(Branch), Mauchline — (draws on
the parent establishment, Edin-
burgh, and Jones, Loyd and Co.,
Loudon) — John Strathdee, agt nt
Royal Bank of Scotland (Bianch
— draws on the parent establish-
ment, Edinburgh, andCoutrsand'
Co. London) — Jas.M'Master,agnt'
BLACKSMITHS.
Aniston .lames, Sorn
Brown James, Canine
Hepburn Andrew, Mauchline
Mason John, Mauchline
Meilcle John, Mauchline
Taylor James, Canine
Wilson David, Mauchline
BOOKSELLERS&STAT£ONEK3
Gibson Allan, Catrine
M'Lachlan Jean, Gatrkie
Nesbit Hugh S. Maucbkn?
BOOT ANS> SHOE MAKERS.
Gibh Hug-ii, Monchfiue
Howat George, C»t-rinc
Lajw-'aii; James, Sorn
M'Clement J%m«$s, Caichte
M'Clynwwit .Uuaos. (-i««i4aie
M' Garni Jaine?. iVtesrehSfea*
M'Howi Joh=,, Mauehlrtte
M' Inure John. Catrine