Ayrshire, a maritime county in the SW. of Scotland, adjoining the cos. of Renfrew, Lanark, Dumfries, Kirkcudbright, and Wigtown. It is in the shape of a crescent, with the concave side, measuring about 70 miles, adjacent to the Firth of Clyde. Its greatest breadth, across the middle, is 30 miles. Area, 1128.5 square miles. Population 217,519, or 193 persons to each square mile. The coast in the S. is rocky and destitute of natural harbours, but becomes row and sandy northwards from Ayr. The lofty islet of Ailsa Craig is comprised in this county. The surface slopes with slight undulations from the landward border, which is hilly in most parts, and is mountainous in the SE. The soil is various, sandy near the coast, of a rich clay in the middle parts, and moor in the uplands. The rivers are the Garnock, Irvine, Ayr, Doon, Girvan, and Stinchar. The largest lake is Loch Doon, on the SE. border. The minerals are coal, iron, limestone, and sandstone, all of which are extensively worked. The county is famous for dairy produce and a fine breed of cows. The mfrs. are valuable, and include woollen, cotton, iron, and earthenware. The county comprises 43 parishes and 3 parts, the parliamentary burghs of Ayr and Irvine (part of the Ayr Burghs — 1 member), and Kilmarnock (part of the Kilmarnock Burghs — 1 member).
– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)Note: the Isle of Arran is included here with Ayrshire.
Bachelors’ Club
Sandgate Street
Tarbolton KA5 5RB
01292 541 940
www.nts.org.uk
In this 17th-century thatched house, Robert Burns and friends formed a debating club in 1780. Burns attended dancing lessons, and was initiated into Freemasonry here, in 1781.
Baird Institute
3 Lugar Street
Cumnock KA18 1AD
01290 421701
The Baird Institute Museum lies in the centre of the town of Cumnock, and was opened in 1891. The museum holds a collection of Mauchline ware of world importance, complimented by many items of Cumnock pottery, mining equipment, and photographs and artefacts of local and social history. Works of traditional and contemporary art and crafts are also displayed here.
Balmacara Estate
Lochalsh House, Balmacara
Kyle IV40 8DN
0844 4932233 Email :
www.nts.org.uk/Property/Balmacara-Estate
The Balmacara Estate is a diverse highland crofting estate of high nature conservation and cultural value. The land has been used for millennia, with the agricultural and woodland management of the last two centuries giving rise to a pleasing blend of built, crofted and natural environments in the landscape. Includes the historic village of Plockton and its open air church.
Brodick Castle
Brodick KA27 8HY
01770 302 202
www.nts.org.uk/Property/13/Contact
Brodick Castle and Country Park is unique in being the only island country park in Britain. The castle offers 600 years of history, a fabulous collection of valuable artefacts, and stunning views over Brodick Bay to the Ayrshire Coast.
Burns Cottage Museum
Burns Cottage
Alloway KA7 4PY
01292 441215
Robert Burns Birthplace Museum offers a truly unique encounter with Scotland’s favourite son. The museum comprises the famous Burns Cottage where the poet was born, the historic landmarks where he set his greatest work, the elegant monument and gardens created in his honour and a modern museum housing the world’s most important collection of his life and works.
Culzean Castle & Country Park
Silver Ave
Maybole KA19 8LE
01655 760274
www.culzeanexperience.org/events.asp
TWith its dramatic clifftop setting, Robert Adam architecture, fascinating history and beautiful surroundings, it’s easy to see why Culzean Castle is one of Scotland’s most popular visitor attractions. Surrounded by Culzean Country Park, an extensive estate encompassing lush woodland, landscaped gardens and rugged coastline, this 18th-century Scottish castle couldn’t be better placed for a family day out.
Darvel Telephone Museum
1b Burn Road
Darvel, Ayrshire KA17 0AJ
01560 320780
www.mflemmich.freeserve.co.uk
The Darvel Telephone Museum contains a unique display of telephone memorabilia dating from 1900s to the present day. At the moment there are no regular opening times. Please phone prior to visiting to ensure access.
Dean Castle
Dean Road, Off Glasgow Road
Kilmarnock KA3 1XB
01563 554734
The country park boasts beautiful woodland walks, adventure playground, urban farm, visitor centre, tearoom, shop and a fantastic 14th century castle housing world class collections including historic weapons, armour and musical instruments.
Dumfries House
Dumfries House
Cumnock KA18 2NJ
01290 425 959
Dumfries House is one of Britain’s most beautiful stately homes. Set in 2,000 acres of land, this stunning estate and 18th-Century house with its unrivalled collection of original furniture has something for everyone.
East Ayrshire Archives
Burns Monument Centre, Kay Park Cottage, Kay Park
Kilmarnock KA3 7RU
01292 521819
Material held at Burns Monument Centre includes official records from the East Ayrshire burghs of Cumnock, Darvel, Galston, Kilmarnock, Newmilns and Greenholm and Stewarton, dating back to the 1600s. We have a significant collection of Church records from the Ayr and Irvine Presbyteries.
East Ayrshire Family History Society
c/o Dick Institute, Elmbank Avenue
Kilmarnock KA1 3BU
www.eastayrshirefhs.co.uk
East Ayrshire Family History Society was formed in 1997 and takes its name from the new local authority created around the same time. The area covered by East Ayrshire comprises the former districts of Kilmarnock & Loudoun and Cumnock & Doon Valley, however resources held by EAFHS cover all of Ayrshire.
Isle of Arran Heritage Museum
Rosaburn
Brodick, Isle of Arran KA27 8DP
01770 302 636
www.arranmuseum.co.uk
Originally the site of a small school, the present group of buildings were a croft and smiddy, and include a farmhouse, cottage, bothy, milk house, laundry, stable, coach house and harness room.
Largs & North Ayrshire Family History Society
Bogriggs Cottage, Carlung
West Kilbride KA23 9PS
01294 823690
The Largs and North Ayrshire Family History Society was formed in 1988. Its aim is to promote the study of family history in Largs and the surrounding area of North Ayrshire.
Largs Museum
Kirkgate House, Manse Court
Largs KA30 8AW
01475 687 081
The museum has displays on the history of the town and the surrounding area, local family history, overseas links especially with Australia, the ship HMS Largs, and so on. Each year a special themed display is prepared for the museum’s opening in June, July and August.
McKechnie Institute
Dalrymple Street
Girvan KA26 9AE
01465 713643
www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/galleries/mckechnie
The McKechnie Institute opened in 1889 thanks to the benevolence of a local businessman, Thomas McKechnie. Its architectural style is Scottish Baronial with some Renaissance detailing. There are most often displays of items from the McKechnie Institute collection, in conjunction with a programme of temporary exhibitions in the downstairs and upstairs galleries.
Museum of the Cumbraes
Manse Street
Saltcoats KA21 5AA
01294 464 174
Housed within Garrison House, the museum of The Cumbraes provides a fascinating glimpse into Cumbrae’s past. From 4,000 year-old stone coffins – or ‘cists’ – found on the Cumbraes, through stories of smuggling in the 18th century to life during the second world war and indeed life on the island today.
North Ayrshire Heritage Centre
Manse Street
Saltcoats KA21 5AA
01294 464174
The Heritage Centre, in Saltcoats, has an extensive genealogy section for those wishing to trace their Ayrshire ancestry.
North Ayrshire Museum
Manse Street
Saltcoats KA21 5AA
01294 464174
The North Ayrshire Museum is the main museum in North Ayrshire and displays the social history of the area. It is housed in an old parish church dating from 1744. Changing displays and exhibitions of the area’s social history, archaeology, transport and culture are on show.
Penkill Castle
Old Dailly
Girvan KA26 9TQ
01465 871219
www.culture24.org.uk/am18467
A small village of South Ayrshire, Penkill lies a mile (2 km) south of Old Daily and 3 miles (5 km) northeast of Girvan. To the south of the village lies the Penkill Castle, an imposing 15th century castle with additions dating through to 19th century.
Robert Burns Birthplace Museum
Murdoch’s Lane, Alloway
Ayr KA7 4PQ
0844 493 2601
The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum offers visitors a chance to experience the rich heritage of Burns within the environment that inspired his imagination. The late medieval Brig o’ Doon, spanning the beautiful River Doon, was chosen by Burns for the climax of his tale in Tam o’shanter. Alloway Auld Kirk is the burial place for the poet’s father. Burns Cottage, birthplace of Robert Burns, was built in 1757 by the poet’s father, William Burness.
Rozelle House Galleries
Rozelle Park, Monument Road
Ayr KA7 4NQ
01292 445 447
www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/galleries/rozellehouse
The Royal Burgh of Ayr held the Rozelle lands as part of the Barony lands of Alloway until an auction in 1754 to reduce the Burgh debt brought sale of the lands to Robert Hamilton for £2,000. The Hamilton family made their fortune in the sugar and tobacco industries in the West Indies. Rozelle House is now a major display venue, currently showing the significant collection, Tam O’ Shanter, a series of 54 paintings, by Alexander Goudie. Rozelle House is also home to the Ayrshire Yeomanry museum,
Skelmorlie ROC Post
www.roc-heritage.co.uk/scotland.html
Fifteen feet below the ground, a close-knit team of dedicated and highly trained volunteers waited for the message they hoped would never come. Throught the Cold War, the underground monitoring post of the Royal Observer Corps at Skelmorlie played an important role as part of the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation.
Collections: Includes many items of post equipment including air raid siren, ground zero indicator, bomb power indicator, burndept radio, teletalk and fixed survey meter. the post is also lucky to have the only known example of an experimental air filtration system in Scotland.
Souter Johnnie’s Cottage
Kirkoswald KA19 8JH
01655 760603
www.nts.org.uk/Property/Souter-Johnnies-Cottage
See Scottish literature come to life in this 18th-century thatched cottage in the heart of Kirkoswald, Ayr. The former home of cobbler – or souter – John Davidson, the real-life Souter Johnnie immortalised in the Robert Burns poem Tam o’ Shanter, it features a thatched tavern in the garden, complete with life-sized sandstone statues of the poem’s main characters. The house also offers a taste of how the Davidson family would have lived and worked – inside the cottage there is a reconstructed shoemaking workshop crammed with Souter Johnnie’s original tools, as well as living quarters with period furniture.
South Ayrshire Archives
Carnegie Library, 12 Main Street, Ayr KA8 8EB
01292 286385
The Scottish and Local History Library is located on the first floor of the Carnegie Library in Ayr. The department houses a unique collection of books, pamphlets, directories, maps, plans, local newspapers and photographs.
Troon @ Ayrshire Family History Society
c/o M.E.R.C., Troon Public Library, South Beach
Troon KA10 6EF
Troon @ Ayrshire Family History Society is one of the smaller societies in Scotland but still has the reputation of being very active, and we have a fairly strong attendance at the monthly meetings September – June.
West Kilbride Museum
Public Hall, 1 Arthur Street
West Kilbride KA23 9EN
01294 822102
This local museum has a regular display which includes social history, trades and craft implements, dolls, toys and a large collection of Ayrshire lace embroidery and local Paisley weaving. There are also regular exhibitions held on specific topics.