Pigot 1837

Ayr is a Royal burgh, and the capital of the parish and shire of its name, 77 miles, wsw of Edinburgh, 33 ssw of Glasgow, 34 ssw of Paisley, 12 ssw of Kilmarnock, and 11 s of Irvine, situate in the north west angle of the parish where the river Ayr flows past it into the Firth of Clyde. This border of Scotland has been inhabited from the earliest period of authentic history; for when, in the reigh of Severus, the Roman fleet made the complete seaboard survey of Magna Britannica, this part of the coast was crowded with a population that evinced no amicable disposition towards the foreigh intruder; subsequently, however, the persevering and insidious encroacher penetrated through southern Caledonia, and the Celtic harp was hushed by the fanning wings of the Roman eagle; accordingly we find that the site of modern Ayr retained, in the 11th century, the undoubted traces of a Roman station; and tradition informs us that a hamlet, the vestige of this station, was in existence until the latter part of the 12th century, when William, surnamed the Lion, erased the odious blot, and laid the foundation of a new town in the ashes of the former conqueror. A paramount interest, that every true Caledonian must feel, and the heart of every real patriot must contain, is excited by the recollection that here it was that the renowned William Wallace first openly embodied that hardy host which made the southern backward reel; and that the powerful garrison of Edward I, was compelled to cower under his thunder arm. Ayr still retains some lineaments of antiquated grandeur, on which the lover of ancient lore may dilate with exquisite sensation; amongst others, history will single out the tower of the church dedicated to St John, and the traces of the fortress that comprised this place, erected during the inter-regnum of Cromwell, not escape his observation. At a short distance on the fore-shore is one of those uncouthly constructions - castles, so frequently arresting the notice of any stranger in this district, and exhibiting the ill-combined contrivances of aggression and defence; it stands on the summit of a rock overhanging the sea and, from a distance, has an imposing aspect. In the same direction, on a clear day, may be discerned the celebrated Ailsa Craig, rising 940 feet perpendicular out of the sea. The bay is very much admired, and some sea travellers can perceive in its broad outline a resemblance in the Bay of Naples. Immediately opposite, across the Clyde, is the Isle of Arran, whose stupendous and often cloud-capped mountains present some features of the sublime and majestic, and whose summits are visible to the naked eye, in fine weather, from the headlands of Larne, in the County of Antrim, in Scotia's twin-sister land. The town of Ayr forms a tolerably regular parrallelogram, with one side presented to the left bank of the river, and the west end verging on the sea; the harbour extends up the river to about midway from the entrance to this part of the town. The burgh has been considerably improved of late years, and new buildings have risen in every direction, many of them truly elegant. The splendid new Town Buildings, with perhaps the finest spire in Scotland, the height 219 feet were erected in the old Malt-cross, in 1828, at a cost of £10,000. These buildings contain a spacious suite of assembly rooms and a public reading room. Wellington-Square may vie with many of those in the English metropolis, having a most noble erection to form the west side, in the new court-house and hall, built at the joint expense of the county and burgh, at a cost exceeding £30,000. The east front of this ediface, which is wholly of stone, is ornamented with an imposing portico. The centre of the square exhibits a fine lawn and is enclosed with rails, and the surrounding houses are inhabited by the genteel families of the place. At the back of the hall are two well arranged prisons, one for debtors, and the other for felons; these have lately been remodelled after the system of the Glasgow Bridewell, so justly admired. In the hall are kept all the public offices and records for the town, and sessions and courts for the county and burgh are held. An extensive trade is carried on in the export of coal from this place to Ireland. Mines of this article as with as fine quarries of stone, abound in the neighbourhood. The other principal exports consist of iron, corks, lamp-black and water of Ayr goods. Imports comprise hides, tallow, barley, yarn, linen, spars, deals and hemp. The convenience for shipping is superior to most of the towns on the coast, as the harbour has been lately much improved by carrying an extensive stone pier into the sea, affording a greater depth of water for vessels entering, and security when in harbour. These improvements, with others in contemplation will add considerably to the mercantile importance of the place, and repay the spirited proprietors of this admirable design. A railway is perceived between this town and Glasgow, which it is predicted shall communicate with the towns of Paisley, Johnston, Dalry, Kilwinning, Irvine, Kilmarnock and Troon. The capital to be embarked is £550,000 subscribed for in eleven thousand shares of £50 each; the deposit upon each being £2.10s. The shares are all taken up, and and are now (1836) at a premium. The civil government of Ayr vested in a provost, two baillies, a dean of guild, a treasurer, and twelve councillors; but by the new bill for the regulation of municipal corporations, the burghs of Ayr, with Wallace Town and Newton, are united under a common magistry and jurisdiction. Ayr is connected with the burgh of Irvine, in this county and Campbeltown, Inverary, and Oban, in Argyllshire in returning a member of Parliament. The present representative is Lord James Stewart. The total number of the county constituency is 3,913; that of the burgh, 441. The county member is John Dunlop, esq., of Dunlop. The Earl of Glasgow is Lord Lieutenant, and Sir D.H.Blair, Baronet, Vice-Lieutenant of the county. An academy, founded by subscription in 1798, stands foremost among the public establishments. It is conducted by a rector and five masters, with able assistants, the superintendent of the whole is vested in certain directors appointed by the crown by which the seminary was created a body corporate. The useful and elegant accomplishments which may be attained in this establishment are the Latin, Greek, English, French and Italian languages, writing, arithemic, natural philosophy, and chymistry. The youth annually taught here are about five hundred in number; and the success which attends the institution, exceeds the most sanguine expectations of its original projectors. Ayr library, containing several thousand volumes, affords recreation to its numerous subscribers. There is also a Mechanic's Institution formed in 1825, which is now in a flourishing state; it has a library attached, containing more than two thousand volumes. There are other libraries of lesser note, and public reading rooms in the town's buildings. Two talented and admirably conducted newspapers are published in Ayr weekly - The "Observer", on Tuesday, and the "Advertiser", on Thursday. Races are held here annually in the autumn. Two excellent packs of fox hounds, and one of harriers, hunt in the county; and in the town are spirited curling and bowling clubs. A small but neat theatre occasionally opens to gratify the admirers of dramatic representations; but the inhabitants being generally of a sedate turn of mind, it is but little encouraged. There are two churches of the establishment in the town, one in the parish of Newton, and another at Prestwick; the other places of worship in Ayr and its vicinity are the associate synod congregation, the united associate synod, an English church, Wallace Town chapel, Methodist, Moravian, Independent, Relief, and Reform Presbytery chapels, and one for the Roman Catholics; some of these are situate in Wallace Town and Contest, which see. The Charitable Institutions are numerous and liberally conducted; the poor are assisted from funds arising from lands and donations, and a dispensary gives medicine and surgical aid to the sick. Besides these there are a sailor's society, established in 1581; a merchant's society, established in 1655; a fund, established in 1821, for decayed members, their widows and orphans; the Ayr Sabbath school union society; and the Ayr universal society. The celebrated Scottish bard, Robert Burns, was born about two miles and a quarter north-east of Ayr, in a small cottage, now converted into a public house, almost a quarter of a mile from which a very elegant monument has been erected to his memory; it is placed on the banks of the river Doon, amidst objects and scenery which had often inspired his muse. The locality of Tam O'Shanter lies in the immediate neighbourhood of the cottage. The Chevalier Ramsay, author of Cyron's travels, &c. was a native of the town. There are two weekly markets, Tuesday for grain and cattle, and Friday for the sale of dairy produce, poultry and general business. Fairs are held on the Thursday and Friday before the second Wednesday in January; on the first Tuesday in April for black cattle &c.; the last Friday in April, the Thursday and Friday before the second Monday in July, and on the second Thursday and Friday in October. Newton-On-Ayr Newton parish is divided from that of Ayr by the river, over which there is a handsome bridge of modern erection. Weaving is carried on here, for the Glasgow manufacturers, to a considerable extent; here are also four iron foundries, a salt works, and the extensive ship-building yards of Messrs Cowan & Sloans. The coals from the Ayr colliery are shipped on this side the harbour; the colliery is in the parish of St Quivox, and, from the employment it furnishes to the industrious class, is of material importance to the neighbourhood.

St Quivox

St. Quivox, a parish in the District of Kyle, lies on the banks of the Ayr river, and is bounded on the east by Tarbolton, and on the west by Newton on Ayr and Monktown. The parish is nearly all arable, is finely enclosed, and beautified by plantations.

Wallace Town

Wallace Town, and a district called Content, consists of a number of streets adjoining to Newton, and are both in the parish of St. Quivox. A new church of the establishment was erected in Content in 1834, and opened 8th March, 1835; it is a very handsome edifice, of the Gothic order; the site is well chosen, being in a populace neighbourhood, on the north-east bank of the river Ayr; it was built by subscription, at an expense of nearly £1,500, and has sittings for upwards of 300 persons. Nearly adjoining the new church is a new Roman Catholic chapel, erected in 1826-7, at a cost of about £2,000; it is a classic structure, in the Gothic style, fronted with freestone. In Wallace Town are also chapels belonging to the Anti-Burghers, the Seccessional congregation, the Reformed Presbytery, the Independents, and the English church.

Monktown

Monktown, a parish in the district of Kyle, lies on the sea-coast, betwixt Symington and Dundonald on the north, and Newton and St. Quivox on the south. The parish formerly extended southward to the river Ayr, and comprehended the present parish of Newton, which was erected into a separate parochial district in the last century; it now includes the ancient and abrogated parish of Prestwick. The village of Monktown is situate on the high road to Glasgow, and distant four miles from Ayr.

Prestwick

The small town or rather village of Prestwick, or Prestewich, is one mile and a half from Ayr. It was as one period a place of some consequence, having being created a burgh of barony at an early date; and its charter, which was renewed by James VI, in 1600, granted to it a weekly market and an annual fair; the former has fallen into disuse, from the proximity of its more thriving neighbour, Ayr. The market cross, which is of considerable antiquity, still exists, and it has its gaol and council-house; in the latter, the bailies and freemen meet quarterly, to regulate the affairs of the burgh; and the Prince of Wales (when one exists) is recognised as the superior of the town. There has lately been erected a handsome new church, for the accommodation of the inhabitants and those of Monktown.

Post Office

Post Office, 9 High st, Ayr, Robert Davidson, Post Master - The Edinburgh and Glasgow morning mails arrive every morning at half past seven, and are despatched every afternoon at a quarter past five - the Edinburgh and Glasgow evening mails arrive every night at nine, and are despatched every night at a quarter before ten - The London and other English mails arrive every afternoon at a quarter before five and are despatched every night at a quarter before ten - The Irish mail, with letters from the counties of Wigton and Kirkcudbright arrive every night at ten, and are despatched every night at half past eight - A Penny Post to Dalmellington every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning at a quarter before eight, and arrives every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoon at half past four.

COACHES

None travel on Sundays except the mails.

To Cumnock, the "Independent" (market coach), from the Wallace Tower Inn, 188 High street, every Tuesday and Friday afternoon at four.

To Dalmellington, a Car, from the Waallace Tower Inn, 188 High st, every Tuesday and Friday afternoon at 4.

To Dumfries, the "Craigengillan Castle" from the Ayr Arms, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; goes through Dalmellington, Carsphairn, Minnyhive, Dunscoll.

To Edinburgh, the "Marquis of Hastings" from the Ayr Arms, every morning at eight, goes through Kilmarnock, Galston, New Mills, Darvel, Strathaven, Garion Bridge, and Mid-Calder.

To Girvan, the "Robert Burns" (Market coach), from the Commercial Inn, every Tuesday and Friday afternoon at four; goes through Maybole and Kirkoswald.

To Glasgow, the "Royal Mail" (from Portpatrick), calls at the Ayr Arms and the King's Arms, each alternate month, every night at ten; the "Telegraph", from the King's Arms, every morning at half past six and afternoon at three; and the "Defiance", from the Ayr Arms, every morning at ten; all go through Kilmarnock and Kingswell.

To Irvine and Troon, a market coach, from the Black Bull, Old Bridge end, every Tuesday and Friday afternoon at half past three.

To Kilmarnock, an omnibus, from the office in harbour street, every afternoon at four.

To Maybole, the "Earl of Cassilis", from 123 High street, every Tuesday and Friday afternoon at four.

To Portpatrick, the "Royal Mail" (from Glasgow), calls at the Ayr Arms and the King's Arms each alternate month, every evening at a quarter past nine; goes through Maybole, Girvan, Ballantrae, and Stranraer.

CARRIERS

To Castle Douglas, Thomas Wallet, from the Blue Bell, High street, every alternate Saturday, and David Bucclench, from the George & Dragon, High street, every alternate Monday.

To Catrine, Thomas Murray, from 17 High street, every Tuesday and Friday.

To Crosshill, James McClowanan, from the George & Dragon, every Friday.

To Cumnock, Alexander Simpson, from the Blue Bell, every Monday and Thursday; and Andrew Findlay, Alexander Findlay and David Smith, from 17 High street, every Tuesday and Friday.

To Dailly, Matthew Robertson, from the George & Dragon, every Tuesday.

To Dalmellington, John Hoare, from the George & Dragon, every Tuesday and Alexander Gammell, from the same house every Friday.

To Dalrymple, David Mitchell, from the George & Dragon, every Tuesday and Friday.

To Edinburgh, James Boyd, from 244 High street, every Monday.

To Girvan, William Drennan, from the George & Dragon, every Wednesday.

To Glasgow, Andrew Gerren, from the Plough, every Monday, and John Cuthbert, from his house, Main street Newton, daily (Wednesday excepted).

To Irvine, William Arthur, from the George & Dragon, every Tuesday and Friday.

To Kilmarnock, Thomas Frew, from the Crown Inn, every Tuesday and Friday, and Mrs Dalziel, from Sandgate Street, every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

To Kirkcudbright, Thomas Wallet, from the Blue Bell, every Saturday.

To Mauchline, John Reid, from 17 High street, every Tuesday and Friday.

To Maybole, James Kennedy, from the Crown Inn, every Tuesday and Friday.

To Minnyhive, John Hodson, from the Blue Bell, every Tuesday.

To Ochiltree, John Lammill, from 17 High street, every Tuesday and Friday.

To Paisley, Hugh Reid, from the George & Dragon, every Thursday.

To Patna, Andrew Gerren, from the Plough, every Thursday.

To Saltcoats, Wm. Arthur, from the George & Dragon, every Tuesday and Friday.

To Sanquhar, Thomas Afflick, from 17 High street, every Friday.

To Straiton, Thomas McQuator, from the Crown, every Tuesday and Friday.

To Stranraer, Hugh Reid, from the George & Dragon, every Wednesday.

To Torbolton, Andrew Fisher, from 17 High street, and -- Highet, from the Black Bull Inn, every Friday.

CONVEYANCE BY WATER

Steam Packets:

To Glasgow, the "Nimrod" (Capt Clark) and the "St Mungo" (Capt McLelland) call alternately every morning, calling at Troon, Ardrossan, Largs, Innerkip, Gourock, and Greenock.

Sailing Vessels:

To Campbeltown, the "Armadale", "Levina", "Jane", and "Elizabeth", call occasionally.

To Liverpool, the "Antelope", "Arthur", "Eleanor", and "Ann", sail once a fortnight - Alexander Bell Telfer, agent.

This transcript was kindly provided by Keith Muirhead from Queensland.