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KIRKOSWALD
Ayrshire Directory - 1837 - by Pigot & Co
Is
a small and picturesque old village, in the parish of its name, and
district
of Carrick, 13 miles s from Ayr, and 4½ from
Maybole; situate on a line
of road from Portpatrick to
Glasgow - 90 miles from the former, and 48
(by
the new road) from the latter town. The
parish is highly interesting, as containing within its limits several objects of great attraction for the
stranger
and tourist. The sea-coast presents
a sandy beach, with a
beautiful
rich award to the very sea-mark; and there are two lakes, from whence
flow many small streams which wander through the district towards the sea.
Of late years there have been raised various delightful plantations, particularly
near the shore around Culzean Castle, the splendid seat of the
Marques
of Allan. The mansion, which is a fine specimen of ancient
architecture,
is placed on a rock overhanging the sea; and on the land side
are
delicious gardens, with a noble park of great extent.
Not far from the castle
is a fort mounted with thirteen guns, and a morter battery, both kept
in
the most effective order. The
surrounding scenery, combining all in wood,
water and field that can form a glowing and varied landscape, may here be
contemplated with both mental and optical transport.
In a low valley, between
Kirkoswald and Maybole, are the remains of the
abbey of
Crossraguell,
founded by Duncan, first Earl of Carrick, and dedicated to the
Virgin
Mary: at one period it was possessed by Cluniac monks from
Paisley;
at
the reformation it became the property of the Earl of Cassilis, in whose
family
it still remains; dilapidated as it now is, this abbey is the most entire
in the west of Scotland. From the
coast-road between Girvan and
Maybole
may be seen the ruins of Turnberry castle, once the residence and
property
of Robert Bruce. Within view of
this memorial of former centuries, and
not more than a mile from it, lies the farm of Shanter, once the
residence
of Douglas Graham, the immortalised hero of Burn's poem,
"Tam-O-Shanter";
though that honour is disputed, by some, in favour of
another
farmer, called Thomas Reid.
Post
Office, Catherine McCrorie, Post mistress - Letters arrive from
Maybole
every
night at a quarter before eleven, and are despatched every evening at
half-past
eight.
GENTRY AND CLERGY
Allan,
Marques of, Culzean castle
Inglis,
Rev. James, Manse
VINTERS
Brown
James
Campbell,
James
Dick,
Gilbert
Grey,
James
McCrorie,
Thomas
SHOPKEEPERS & TRADERS
Boyle
& Anderson, cartwrights and joiners
Brown,
James, shopkeeper
Campbell, James, shopkeeper
Davidson, John, shoe maker
Dick, Gilbert, shopkeeper
Ferguson,
Robert, tailor
Gilmour, James, mason
Grey,
James,
blacksmith
McClymont,
Andrew, shoe maker
McCubbin,
David, schoolmaster
McKergon,
Peter, blacksmith
McMaster, Alexander, shoe maker
McMaster, Alexander, tailor
Orr, David, shopkeeper
COACHES
To
Ayr and Glasgow, the "Royal Mail" (from Portpatrick), passes
through every
night
at half-past eight, and the "Robert Burns" every Tuesday and Friday
morning
at half-past seven.
To
Portpatrick, the "Royal Mail" (from Glasgow) passes through every
night
at
a quarter before eleven.
CARRIERS
To
Ayr, William Drynan, every
Tuesday
To
Glasgow,
Robert Hannah, every Tuesday
and .co.uk