Scotland > 1882-1915 - Slater's Royal National Commercial Directory of Scotland > 1886 - Slater's (late Pigot and Co's) Royal national commercial directory and topography of Scotland
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AYRSHIRE.
millS is a popnlons maritime connty, on the western coast of the Lowlands ; from Skelmorlie in the north to the month of the Galloway-
-L burn (which enters Loch Ryan) in the sonth, tho distance is 63 miles, but along the coast it is 84; between Hareshaw Sill and Troon,
which is its greatest breadth, it measures 28 miles, 19, however, being about the average. It is bounded on the north and north-east by
the small county of Renfrew, on the east by the counties of Lanark and Dumfries, on the south-east by the stewartry of Kirkcudbright,
and on the south by Wigtonehire. In ligure the county resembles an elongated crescent, with its concavity presented to the sea. At
the north and south ends the land is diminished almost to a point, being but a few miles in breadth. The superficial extent of the
county comprises 1,149 square miles of land, or 735,2G2 acres, of which 13,033 acres are under water. It is divided into three principal
or grand districts— Carrick, Cunningham, and Kyle. The first lies on the southern side of the Doon ; the second comprehends the
whole of the couoty north of tho river Irvine ; and Kyle division is situated between the rivers Doon and Irvine.
Early History,— This county was anciently inhabited by the British tribe called the Damnii, a branch of the Celtic nation, who
survived the period of the Roman yoke, and were, iu the course of time, over-run by and amalgamated with tho Scoto-Irish from Kintyre.
In 750 these again were partly conquered by a number of Northumbrians, who settled in Kyle. From 843 to 1097, the inhabitants of
Ayrshire were governed as a Celtic people, on Celtic principles. Upon the accession of Edgar, in 1097, the jurisprudence of the county
became changed, and an active colonization commenced, which peopled every district with new comers from England. Barons now
sprang up, who built castles and churches, and towns arose, which became inhabited by persons engaged in trade. Ayrshire was the
scene of perpetual turmoil during the wars of Brace and Edward. The son of the first Bruce marrying the Countess of Carrick,
became Earl Carrick in her right; and it was their son who, on tho expulsion of Baliol, formed pretensions to the throne, which he
obtained by his courage, fortitude, and prudence ; thus Ayrshire possessed tho honour of giving birth to the illustrious restorer of the
Scottish monarchy. Some of the valorous exploits of Wallace, in supporting the national independence, were performed in this county.
Scarcely any division of Scotland remained so long under the torments of tho baronial system as Ayrshire. For centuries the chiefs
were perpetually engaged in feuds and rebellions, and so weak or inefficient were the laws that it was seldom redress or punishment
followed outrage. The Boyds, the Dalyrmples, the Campbells, the Colvilles, and the houses of Eglinton and Glenciirn had their
respective quarrels of long standing, which occasionally ended in reckless violence or sanguinary slaughter. A great proportion of
these disturbances arose from contests regarding heritable jurisdictions, such as stewardships and bailiewicks of certain districts.
Besides the feuds of these pugnacious barons, the country was frequently distracted by the pride or crimes of the Kennedys. So late
as the reign of James VI. this powerful clan was involved in a feud of more than ordinary importance, which originated in the cruel
treatment of Allan Stewart, the commentator, of Crossraguell, in 1570, by the Earl of Cassillis, and his brother, Thomas Kennedy of
Culzean. The vexations which the people of this county so long suffered by such an ill-organized system seem to have impressed them
with a fervid desire for those political liberties which they believed were to accrue from the institution of the Covenant. The conse-
quence was that, during the heats of the seventeenth century, few took so active a sharo in the insurrections which wero opposed to
royal authority. A committee of the Privy Council sat at Ayr, in 1678, for directing the military executive to its proper objects. In July,
1680, a conflict occured, wherein several insurgents were taken, and the rebellion on this occasion quelled. Proceedings of this harassing
character induced a ready accession to the government of William III., and the conduct of the people who wept armed to Edinburgh, to
wait upon the Estates, was very magnanimous. It need hardly be mentioned that the turmoils which had from a very early period kept
Ayrshire in a warlike attitude, and ever ready for tidings of disaster and spoliation, had the natural effect of keeping its agricultural
capacities long shut up, and its energies of a useful tendency long untried.
Son,, Surface, &c— The most fertile part of the shire is the great vale of Cunningham, which is comparatively level ; Kyle possesseB
much valuable land towards the coast, but its interior lies high, and is a rough mountainous territory ; Carrick is a hilly, wild region
throughout, and is only of valuo or interest in its northern angle, betwixt the rivers Doon and Girvan. In a general sense, the whole
district of Ayrshire is shut out on its eastern boundary from the adjacent counties by high ridgy land; and with little variation the
Burface inclines either to the sea or to tho rivers which flow in that direction. The sea coast is mostly sandy, and indented with several
excellent harbours. la the rocks are several remarkable caves, worthy the inspection of the curious. Though moist, the climate is
healthy, the rainfall in this being much above that of the central and eastern counties, heavy rain not being infrequent and occasionally
of long duration. For fully two-thirds of the year the wind blows from the west and south-west, thus causing the climate to bo more
temperate and mild than counties on the east coast. The principle eminences are :— Hareshaw Hill, 1,527 ; Cairntable, 1,650 ; Misty Law,
1,663; Hill of Stake, 1,711; Knockdolian, 1,950; Black Craig, 2,298 ; Shalloch on Minnoch, 2,520; and Kirriereoch Hill, 2,562 feet. There are
many elegant seats belonging to the nobility and gentry of the kingdom ; among the principal owners are the Earl of Glasgow, tho Earl
of Eglinton, the Marquis of Ailsa, the Duke of Portland, the Marquis of Bute, and the noble family of Hastings. To the south of Irvine
stands the ancient castle of Dundonald, once a royal residence, and afterwards the family seat of the Cochranes, Earls of Dundonald.
The ancient castle of Rowallan is a few miles distant from Kilmarnock, and stands almost on the boundary line which separates the
parishes of Kilmarnock, Fenwick, and Kilmaurs. Dean Castle, the former residence of the Kilmarnock family, is still an interesting
ruin.
Produce, Manufactures, Minerals, &c— It was not until about the middle of the eighteenth century that the inhabitants of
Ayrshire began 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,
agriculture was promoted and 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 directions of intelligent stewards. Farmers were invited by them from 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, and ascertaining the nature of the soil, the judicious 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 the dairies in this district are superior, perhaps, to any others in Scotland; the value of their
produce in milk and butter is very considerable, and " Dnnlop " cheese is unrivalled throughout the country, finding a ready
market wheresoever offered, and Ayrshire may now be reckoned as the Cheshire of Scotland. Latterly, under the auspices of
tho County Agricultural Association, and many individual proprietors, of whom the late Mr. Campbell, of Craigio, was one of
the foremost, the Cheddar method has been very generally introduced, and Iwith very great success; so that Cheddar cheese is
one of the staple productions of the county. Oats are extensively grown, the other crops being wheat, barley, rye, flax, turnips, pota-
toes, beans, &c. The breed of cattle has likewise been much improved the Ayrshire short-horns being much prized, both for tho
i3— a-r m
millS is a popnlons maritime connty, on the western coast of the Lowlands ; from Skelmorlie in the north to the month of the Galloway-
-L burn (which enters Loch Ryan) in the sonth, tho distance is 63 miles, but along the coast it is 84; between Hareshaw Sill and Troon,
which is its greatest breadth, it measures 28 miles, 19, however, being about the average. It is bounded on the north and north-east by
the small county of Renfrew, on the east by the counties of Lanark and Dumfries, on the south-east by the stewartry of Kirkcudbright,
and on the south by Wigtonehire. In ligure the county resembles an elongated crescent, with its concavity presented to the sea. At
the north and south ends the land is diminished almost to a point, being but a few miles in breadth. The superficial extent of the
county comprises 1,149 square miles of land, or 735,2G2 acres, of which 13,033 acres are under water. It is divided into three principal
or grand districts— Carrick, Cunningham, and Kyle. The first lies on the southern side of the Doon ; the second comprehends the
whole of the couoty north of tho river Irvine ; and Kyle division is situated between the rivers Doon and Irvine.
Early History,— This county was anciently inhabited by the British tribe called the Damnii, a branch of the Celtic nation, who
survived the period of the Roman yoke, and were, iu the course of time, over-run by and amalgamated with tho Scoto-Irish from Kintyre.
In 750 these again were partly conquered by a number of Northumbrians, who settled in Kyle. From 843 to 1097, the inhabitants of
Ayrshire were governed as a Celtic people, on Celtic principles. Upon the accession of Edgar, in 1097, the jurisprudence of the county
became changed, and an active colonization commenced, which peopled every district with new comers from England. Barons now
sprang up, who built castles and churches, and towns arose, which became inhabited by persons engaged in trade. Ayrshire was the
scene of perpetual turmoil during the wars of Brace and Edward. The son of the first Bruce marrying the Countess of Carrick,
became Earl Carrick in her right; and it was their son who, on tho expulsion of Baliol, formed pretensions to the throne, which he
obtained by his courage, fortitude, and prudence ; thus Ayrshire possessed tho honour of giving birth to the illustrious restorer of the
Scottish monarchy. Some of the valorous exploits of Wallace, in supporting the national independence, were performed in this county.
Scarcely any division of Scotland remained so long under the torments of tho baronial system as Ayrshire. For centuries the chiefs
were perpetually engaged in feuds and rebellions, and so weak or inefficient were the laws that it was seldom redress or punishment
followed outrage. The Boyds, the Dalyrmples, the Campbells, the Colvilles, and the houses of Eglinton and Glenciirn had their
respective quarrels of long standing, which occasionally ended in reckless violence or sanguinary slaughter. A great proportion of
these disturbances arose from contests regarding heritable jurisdictions, such as stewardships and bailiewicks of certain districts.
Besides the feuds of these pugnacious barons, the country was frequently distracted by the pride or crimes of the Kennedys. So late
as the reign of James VI. this powerful clan was involved in a feud of more than ordinary importance, which originated in the cruel
treatment of Allan Stewart, the commentator, of Crossraguell, in 1570, by the Earl of Cassillis, and his brother, Thomas Kennedy of
Culzean. The vexations which the people of this county so long suffered by such an ill-organized system seem to have impressed them
with a fervid desire for those political liberties which they believed were to accrue from the institution of the Covenant. The conse-
quence was that, during the heats of the seventeenth century, few took so active a sharo in the insurrections which wero opposed to
royal authority. A committee of the Privy Council sat at Ayr, in 1678, for directing the military executive to its proper objects. In July,
1680, a conflict occured, wherein several insurgents were taken, and the rebellion on this occasion quelled. Proceedings of this harassing
character induced a ready accession to the government of William III., and the conduct of the people who wept armed to Edinburgh, to
wait upon the Estates, was very magnanimous. It need hardly be mentioned that the turmoils which had from a very early period kept
Ayrshire in a warlike attitude, and ever ready for tidings of disaster and spoliation, had the natural effect of keeping its agricultural
capacities long shut up, and its energies of a useful tendency long untried.
Son,, Surface, &c— The most fertile part of the shire is the great vale of Cunningham, which is comparatively level ; Kyle possesseB
much valuable land towards the coast, but its interior lies high, and is a rough mountainous territory ; Carrick is a hilly, wild region
throughout, and is only of valuo or interest in its northern angle, betwixt the rivers Doon and Girvan. In a general sense, the whole
district of Ayrshire is shut out on its eastern boundary from the adjacent counties by high ridgy land; and with little variation the
Burface inclines either to the sea or to tho rivers which flow in that direction. The sea coast is mostly sandy, and indented with several
excellent harbours. la the rocks are several remarkable caves, worthy the inspection of the curious. Though moist, the climate is
healthy, the rainfall in this being much above that of the central and eastern counties, heavy rain not being infrequent and occasionally
of long duration. For fully two-thirds of the year the wind blows from the west and south-west, thus causing the climate to bo more
temperate and mild than counties on the east coast. The principle eminences are :— Hareshaw Hill, 1,527 ; Cairntable, 1,650 ; Misty Law,
1,663; Hill of Stake, 1,711; Knockdolian, 1,950; Black Craig, 2,298 ; Shalloch on Minnoch, 2,520; and Kirriereoch Hill, 2,562 feet. There are
many elegant seats belonging to the nobility and gentry of the kingdom ; among the principal owners are the Earl of Glasgow, tho Earl
of Eglinton, the Marquis of Ailsa, the Duke of Portland, the Marquis of Bute, and the noble family of Hastings. To the south of Irvine
stands the ancient castle of Dundonald, once a royal residence, and afterwards the family seat of the Cochranes, Earls of Dundonald.
The ancient castle of Rowallan is a few miles distant from Kilmarnock, and stands almost on the boundary line which separates the
parishes of Kilmarnock, Fenwick, and Kilmaurs. Dean Castle, the former residence of the Kilmarnock family, is still an interesting
ruin.
Produce, Manufactures, Minerals, &c— It was not until about the middle of the eighteenth century that the inhabitants of
Ayrshire began 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,
agriculture was promoted and 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 directions of intelligent stewards. Farmers were invited by them from 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, and ascertaining the nature of the soil, the judicious 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 the dairies in this district are superior, perhaps, to any others in Scotland; the value of their
produce in milk and butter is very considerable, and " Dnnlop " cheese is unrivalled throughout the country, finding a ready
market wheresoever offered, and Ayrshire may now be reckoned as the Cheshire of Scotland. Latterly, under the auspices of
tho County Agricultural Association, and many individual proprietors, of whom the late Mr. Campbell, of Craigio, was one of
the foremost, the Cheddar method has been very generally introduced, and Iwith very great success; so that Cheddar cheese is
one of the staple productions of the county. Oats are extensively grown, the other crops being wheat, barley, rye, flax, turnips, pota-
toes, beans, &c. The breed of cattle has likewise been much improved the Ayrshire short-horns being much prized, both for tho
i3— a-r m
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Description | Directories of the whole, or large parts of, Scotland. |
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Description | Around 700 Scottish directories published annually by the Post Office or private publishers between 1773 and 1911. Most of Scotland covered, with a focus on Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen. Most volumes include a general directory (A-Z by surname), street directory (A-Z by street) and trade directory (A-Z by trade). |
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