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

IKrcctorp.
KIRKM1CHAEL, &c.
Eprsfjlre.
PLACES OF WORSHIP.
AND THEIR MINISTERS.
Established Church, Cross-hill
— Rev. James Crawford
Established Church, Kirkmi-
chael — Rev Jttin: M'Ewen
Established Church, Dalrymple
—Rev. Robert Wallace
Free Church, Cross-hill — Rev.
John M'Clellan
Free Church, Dalrymple — Rev.
Thomas Bruce
Ayrshire Temperance Union,
Cross-hill — James M'Tagsrert,
secretary; Dalrymple, William
Clark, secretary
RAILWAY
The nearest Station to Kirkmichael
is Maybole, distant three and a
ha if miles
Conveyance bv Railway from Dal-
rymple on the Ayr and Maybole
Railway — — William Alston,
collector
COACH
To Ayr,h Coach from Allan M'Cu'-
loch's. Cross-hill, every Tuesday
morning.
CARRIERS.
To AYR, William M'Cliue, rrom
Kiikmicliaei anil William Dnnlop
and R.h it Ritchie, from Cros~-
hill, Tuesday and Friday
KIRKOSWALD
IS a parish in the district of Carrick— the villaee, old mounted with thirteen, guns, ana a mortar Dauery^
and picturesque, is 13 miles s. from Ayr. and 4$ from
IVlaybole; situated on a line of road from Portpatrick to
Glasgow— 90 miles from the former, and 48 (by the
new road), from the la'tertown. The pari h is hinhly
interesting, as containing within its limits seveial ob-
jects .if great attraction for the stranger and tourist,
The sea-coast presents a sandy beach, with a beautiful
rich sward to Hie very sea-maik; and there are two
lakes, from whence flow many small streams, that
wander through the district towards the sea. Of late
years there have been raised vaiious delightful planta-
tions, particularly near the shore around Culzeau Cas-
tle, the beautiful seat of the Marquees of Ailsa. The
mansion, which is a fine specimen of ancient architec-
ture, is placed on a rock overhanging the sea ; and on
the land >ide are delicious gardens, wilh a noble park
of great extent. Not far from the castle is a fort,
both kept in effective order. In a low valley, between
Kirkoswald and Mayo le, are the remains ot the abbey
of Orossragnt II, founded by Duncan, first iiarl id' tar-
rick, and dedicated to the Virgin Mary: at one period
it was possessed by Cluniac monks from Paisley ; at the
Reformation it became the prpeity of the Earl of
CasMllis, hut it now pertains to Sir James Ferguson,
of Kilkenan. Fro.n the coast-road between Girvan
and Maybole may he seen the ruins of T.urnherry Cas-
tle, once the residence and property of Rob tit Bruce.
Within view of this memorial of former centuiies, and
not more than a mile from it, lies the farm of Shanter,
once the residence of Douglas Graham, the hero of
Burn's poem, ' Tam-o'-Shanter;' though that honour
is disputed by some in favour ot another farmer, called
Thomas Reid. The population of the parish, in 1841,
was 2,030, and in 1851, 2,242.
POST OFFICE, Kirkoswald, Jane Orr, Post Mistress.— Letters from all parts arrive (from May-
bole) every morning at ten, and are despatched thereto every evening at half-past five.
NOBILITY AND CLERGY.
Ailsa the Most Nohle the Marquess
of, Cul/ean Castle
Findlay Rev. John, the Manse
SHOPKEEPERS He TRADERS.
Boyle Allan, cartvvright, Milton
Cottage [joiners
Boyle & Andrews, cartwrights and
Campbell Margaret, vintner
Crawford William, blacksmith, Mil-
ton Cnttaae
Davidson John, shoe maker
Davidson William, shoe maker
Dick David, shoemaker
Dick Gilbert, shoe maker &■.
Ferguson Robert, tailor w
Gillespie John, schoolmaster
Gilmour James, mason
Grey John, blacksmith
Logan Thoma s , vintner
M'Clyniont Andrew, shoe maker, &
shopkeeper
M'Clyniont William, shopkeeper
M'Cubbin Janet, vintner
M 'Master Alexander, tailor
Nesbit Jas. blacksmith, Sandhouse
Oliver Thomas, schoolmaster
Orr Jane, shopkeeper
Rae George, shopkeeper
SloanGilbert; cart wright, Sandhouse
Established Church — Rev. John
Findlay
Free Church, ministers vaiious
COACHES.
To GIRVAN, the Hero, and the In-
dependent, daily.
To MAYBOLE, the Hero, and the
Independent, daily.
To WIGTOWN, the Hero (on the
arrival of the train from Glasgow
at Maybole), daily.
Ayrshire Temperance Union—
John Gillespie, secretary
RAILWAY
Maybole is the nearest Station tn
this village, distance four an'' >
half miles — for Conveyance, acts
Coaches.
CARRIERS.
To AYR, Thomas Smith, Tuesday.
To GLASGOW, Robert Hannah,
Tuesday and Thursday.
LARGS AND FAIRLIB.
JJLiARGS popularly called the Largs, is a neat town
and sea-bathing place, in the parish of that name; 73
miles w. by s. from Edinburgh, 30 s.w. from Gl sgow,
14 s. from Greenock, and 20 n. from Inine ; chami-
ingly situated on the Frith of Clyde, in the northern
extremity of the county, in a remarkably healthy and
well sheltered distiict, particularly on the north-east,
in which direction it is separated from the better cul-
tivated districts by a range ot hilh, hence a proverbial
expression still in use ' Out of the world into the
Largs'. It is now one of the most favourite retreats
on the western coast for ruralising and bathing, the
communication with Glasgow, and other larae towns
on this side of the country, being rendeied convenient
and expeditions by means of steam boats, which pty
dailv on the Clyde. During the season it is enlivened
by the presence of a great number of visitors; and the
general accomodation afforded by the abundance and
Superior style of the lodginu-houses, together with the
agreeable manners of the resident-, fully entitles it to
the extensive patronage it enjoys. An elegant suite of
baths was erected, by uublic subscription, in 1816, some
of them after the model of those at Seafield, Leith ;
and there is one vapour bath ; attached to these is a
reading-room, supplied with various papers. There
are two good inns and two temperance hotels. The
monetary transactions of the town are facilitated by
branches respectively of the National Bank of Scotland,
the City of Glasgow Bank and the Royal Bank of Scot-
land. Considerable business is carried on in the
fishery. The annual fair, commencing on the first
Tuesday in June after the 12h (Saint Columbus day),
is a scene of bu»tle and actiie traffic, tt lasts for two
days, and is well attended by people from the neigh-
bouriuu countii s who resort hither to dispose of their
agricultural produce and caitle.
The parish church, a handsome structure of stoire,
With a spire and clock, is a great ornament to the town.
There is also a Free Church, one for United Presby-
terians, and an English Chapel. There is a benevolent
society, called the 'Dorcas Society', composed of
ladies resident in the neighbourhood, from which,
clothing is supplied to the poor families iri the parish;
I this and two Sabbath schools, form the principal chair-
o 381