87-508: The Castle and Barony of Robertland (NS 4428 4693) is located near Stewarton , off the B769 road , in the old district of Cunninghame, Parish of Stewarton, and now part of East Ayrshire , Scotland. Robertland Castle, in the barony of that name, was held by a cadet branch of the Cunninghames and is now a ruin with a few stone features visible. Timothy Pont records the name as 'Over Robertland' in
174-564: A Montgomerie , tries to dissuade him from continuing his journey, but to no avail and on his way back from Robertland he is met and murdered by Cunninghame of Aiket Castle at a place called the Windy-path in Stewarton. He was shot and although dying he was able to stay in the saddle until he reached the Annick Ford where he fell from his horse and expired immediately. The Windy-path has been called
261-563: A Robertland Brewery in Kilmarnock. The Queen Victoria Jubilee was celebrated in a field at Robertland, with school children walking up to take part in games and foot races. Aiton recorded in 1808 that Sir William Cunningham of Robertland found three seams of workable coal on his lands. 55°41′30″N 4°28′50″W / 55.69178°N 4.48051°W / 55.69178; -4.48051 Stewarton Stewarton ( Scots : Stewartoun , Scottish Gaelic : Baile nan Stiùbhartach )
348-615: A castle or mansion. Pokelly Hall is shown for the first time on Thomson's Map of 1832. Then 1890 OS map shows Pokelly Castle within an enclosure close to the Balgray Mill Burn and situated on a road system linked to Gardrum Mill, Gainford, Crofthead and Fenwick. The name Pathelly Hall is sometimes used for Pokelly Hall in old accounts. Cleuche lay within the Barony of Powkellie (sic) and now appears as Clunch on OS maps. Dareloch, once recorded as Darclavoch, may derive from Dir-clach meaning
435-435: A daughter. Diana Cunninghame was an only daughter of Sir David Cunninghame of Robertland. Diana married Thomas Cochrane of Polkelly in the mid 17th century and much of the estate was sold at around this time. A David Poe is recorded as being of "Polkelly, a farm bordering Fenwick and Stewarton, seven miles from Irvine". This David Poe, an outlaw and covanteer of Ayrshire in 1666 who escaped to Ireland and had children there,
522-456: A debt and brought to Irvine cross to be sold. Sir Alexander had complained to the Earl of Eglinton who was Bailie of Cunninghame without success, so he got together a party of twenty men, well mounted, with swords, pistols, and plate sleeves and went to Irvine to recover his property. Alexander Kennedy had threatened some of the crowd with his gun and was knocked off his horse by the townsfolk. John Reid,
609-515: A favourite, however the lands were in the ownership of Lord Semple by 1556. David Cunninghame of Robertland, married to Margaret Cunninghame, took part in the slaying of Hugh, Earl of Eglinton at the Annick Ford and was exiled to Denmark . He was pardoned on the occasion of the marriage of King James VI and Anne of Denmark, a stone in the garden over the doorway bears the Royal Arms of Scotland and commemorates this wedding. The lady of Lainshaw who
696-404: A general dealer in the village. William Jack was born here in 1834. International women's footballer Rose Reilly grew up in Stewarton, before being forced to leave to pursue a career in professional football. but returned in later years and now resides in the area. The sports centre located in the town has since been renamed in honour of her. The ground of Stewarton's cricket club
783-550: A land of stones. Drumboy was once named Drumbuy and had previously belonged to the Barony of Strathannan in Lanarkshire. An old thatched cottage at the top end of Stewarton, on the B769 to Glasgow, had the name of "King's Kitchenhead", more recently called Braehead. The story is told of a King, possibly James V, who whilst on his progress of administering justice was given hospitality at this cottage after crossing Fenwick Moor. The wife of
870-400: A more ancient building belonging to the same family", he is also probably referring to "Reuincraig", the "small remains" being those of "Corsehill". (Grose 1791); (MacGibbon) and (Ross 1889). General Roy's Military Survey of Scotland (1745–55) marks 'Ravenscraig' as 'Old Corsehill' and also marks the 'new' Corsehill on the other side of the burn, thereby apparently confirming that they both had
957-456: A pardon by King James upon his marriage to Anne of Denmark . Lady Montgomery, who was alleged to have signaled the murderers by placing a white 'napkin' on a window sill, is said to have escaped and lived with her retainer Robert Kerr at Pearce Bank (now High Peacockbank) for several years until the 'hue and cry' died down at which point she returned to the castle and was not molested on the understanding that she did not 'show her face' outside of
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#17330851919761044-452: A response to this act thirty hagbutters were despatched to garrison the house and fortalice of Pokelly.' A Gulielmus (William) de Lambristoune was a witness to a charter conveying the lands of Pokellie (Pokelly) from Sir Gilchrist More to a Ronald Mure at a date around 1280. During the reign of Alexander III (1241–1286) Sir Gilchrist Mure held Pokelly and had to shelter there until the King
1131-557: A series of tenants. Robertson records that in 1823 " the remarkably lofty house of six stories has lately been demolished ". Sir William Cunninghame of Fairlie is at this time designated as of ' Fairlie and Robertland'. Pigot gives Alexander Kerr Esq. or Moorpark, merchant in Glasgow, as resident at Robertland in 1837, having purchased Robertland and Haysmuir Farm in around 1813. A native of Stewarton, Kerr had spent some years in America, and he
1218-588: A towns officer emerged from the tolbooth with his halbert and attacked Kennedy, who died nine days later. Several shots were fired before Robertland's party rode off. John Reid was not punished for his actions. In the Stewarton Laigh Kirk graveyard is an extraordinary tombstone memorial to Jane Watt, the spouse of Andrew Picken of Robertland, who died in 1857. The tombstone is horizontal, at least 8-foot (2.4 m) by 5-foot (1.5 m) and made of cast-iron. A Nether Robertland mill existed in Stewarton and
1305-465: A visit to Robertland Sir William Cunninghame of Robertland told the story that the Earl of Loudoun was out walking with his son and the poet Allan Ramsay , at a place called 'Patie's Mill', when they were all taken by the beauty of a young country girl who was working the hay. The earl commented to his companions that 'she would be a fine theme for a song' and Allan Ramsay quickly composed this song in memory of
1392-419: A visit to the house, saying "Tam! It was none else than the guid man of Shanter" . John Smith of Swindridgemuir relates in a letter of 1829 that he was present at a social occasion at Robertland, hosted by Sir William Cunningham at which Robert Burns was present and a discussion took place about the identity of Tam o'Shanter during which the poet revealed that one Douglas Grahame was the individual upon whom Tam
1479-439: Is a seriously destructive alien invader which should not be transplanted to other sites. Stewarton railway station was opened in 1871 by the Glasgow, Barrhead and Kilmarnock Joint Railway. The station closed in 1966, reopening in 1967. In 2009-2010 the line was partly re-doubled and the train frequency increased to two trains an hour in each direction. The station was rebuilt and a second platform brought into use. Thomas Oliver
1566-568: Is a town in East Ayrshire , Scotland . In comparison to the neighbouring towns of Kilmaurs , Fenwick , Dunlop and Lugton , it is a relatively large town, with a population estimated at over 7,400. It is 300 feet (90 metres) above sea level. The town is served by Stewarton railway station . Stewarton lies within Strathannick, with the Annick Water flowing through the town. The community
1653-555: Is derived from 'Ruin Crag', i.e. ruined castle. Godfrey de Ross and his family of Corsehill Castle were Lords of Liddesdale in the Borders and later on the Cunninghames became the holders. Corsehill (also Crosshill) castle is said to have been on the east side of the Corsehill Burn. The 1860 OS map does record the site of Templehouse which had a small fortalice associated with it and its site
1740-551: Is given circa 1564 as Powkellie when it was held by the Cunninghams of Cunninghamhead . Prior to the 1390s the evidence suggests that the lands of Polkelly were in the hands of the Comyns . The estate was important to the Lairds of Rowallan as it gave uninhibited access to the large and important grazing lands of Macharnock Moor, now Glenouther Moor. In the charter of confirmation of 1512
1827-494: Is in a rural part of East Ayrshire, about 6 miles (10 kilometres) north of Kilmarnock and to the East of Irvine . In the past, Stewarton served as a crossroads between the traditional routes from Kilmarnock, Irvine and Ayr to the city of Glasgow . However, in recent times, the M77 motorway has bypassed the town. The old road is known as the "Auld Glesga Road" (Or the "Old Glasgow Road") and
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#17330851919761914-605: Is recorded as to have been held by the Cochranes family. Dobie records that the Mures held Pow-Kaillie which extended to 2400 acres, two-thirds of which were arable. The origins of the lands of Polkelly and Rowallan as a unit may date back to the Britonic period of the Kingdom of Strathclyde, as indicated by certain anomalies and coincidences in the boundaries of these lands. Polkelly became
2001-416: Is said to have found the remaining eighteen prisoners guilty and they were hanged on the castle's dule tree. One version of the story of King James V losing his horse in a bog at King's Stable near Kingswell after it had drunk from the King's Well, records that he was not on his way to Sorn Castle to attend a wedding, but instead to Polkelly castle whilst on a regal tour administering justice. The site of
2088-579: Is the last to show this road and the lack of a driveway down from the Old Glasgow Road. The access on the East side of the river no longer exists and the driveway runs down from a gatehouse on the Old Glasgow Road, and over the Annick Water by the Robertland Bridge. On Friday, 12 March 1914 as the house was empty and awaiting a buyer, two suffragettes broke in through a conservatory window and set
2175-504: Is the site of the remnants of a Bronze Age burial cairn inside of which three urns or beakers were found in the 19th century containing bones and relicts. In 1847 the old Barony Court House still stood near the Avenue running up towards Corsehill. The War Memorial used to stand outside the front of the library in the avenue square and was moved to provide a more suitable setting near Standalane house above Lainshaw primary school. Dunlop cheese
2262-612: The Annick Water escaped major contamination. The Stewarton Flower, so named due to its local abundance and recorded as such by the Kilmarnock Glenfield Ramblers, is otherwise known as Pink Purslane ( Claytonia sibirica ) is found in damp areas. This plant was introduced from North America in Victorian times, quite possibly at the Robertland Estate. In 1915 it was stated to have been in the area for over 60 years and
2349-553: The 'Mourning or weeping-path' since that day and is marked as such on the OS maps. James Forrest of Mid Lambroughton was a noted botanist and he recorded the rare Adder's tongue Fern in the Swinzie Burn glen at Robertland in the 1920s. The Stewarton Flower, so named due to its local abundance and recorded as such by the Kilmarnock Glenfield Ramblers, is otherwise known as Pink Purslane ( Claytonia sibirica ), found in damp areas. The plant
2436-527: The 'action' took place in the Avenue Square. Polkelly Castle Polkelly Castle , also Pokelly , was an ancient castle located near Fenwick , at NS 4568 4524, in the medieval free Barony of Polkelly, lying north of Kilmarnock , Parish of Fenwick , East Ayrshire , Scotland . The castle is recorded as Powkelly (c1747), Pockelly (c1775), Pow-Kaillie, Ponekell, Polnekel, Pollockelly, Pollockellie, Pokellie, Pothelly, Pathelly Ha' and Polkelly. The name
2523-401: The 17th century and states that the castle is entirely removed. In 1800 the remaining stones from this tower were used to build the walls of the walled garden at Robertland House, across the Swinzie Burn. This feature still exists (2009). The old castle had been a massive square structure six storeys high. Cattle and horses were accommodated on the ground floor, the servants on the second, and
2610-462: The 1860s the ruins are described as the strong house of Polkelly and the remnants lay on the rising ground north of Muiryet. In the late 15th century a Mure of Polkelly is recorded as being a royal administrator, collecting royal rents in east central Scotland. Helen Chalmers, sister to Margaret Chalmers of Cessnock, was tried as a Lollard supporter, pushing for religious reform in Ayrshire. Helen
2697-534: The Baronetage of Scotland (1973–1997). The present owner from February 2005 has been Brian Douglas Parsons of Robertland, Baron of Ormiston and of Robertland. An old road also crossed the Annick Water on a bridge near the site called the 'castle' in the Templehouse/Darlington area of Stewarton here and ran up to Robertland Castle and Nether Robertland on the East side of the river; John Thomson's map of 1832
Castle and Barony of Robertland - Misplaced Pages Continue
2784-501: The Battle of Lumphanan in 1057 to become King of Scots , he rewarded Friskine's family with the Baillie of Cunninghame to show his gratitude to the farmer who had saved his life 17 years earlier. The Cunninghame family logo now features a Y-shaped fork with the words "over fork over" underneath - a logo which appears in various places in Stewarton, notably as the logo of the two primary schools in
2871-453: The Cunninghame clan and shot dead by John Cunninghame of Clonbeith. Hugh is said to have been on his way to attend the court of King James VI at Stirling when he decided to stop off at Langshaw House (now Lainshaw house which was for a long time a home for the elderly) to dine with his associates. The lady of the house Lady Montgomery - told several of her Cunninghame associates who lived in
2958-557: The Cunninghame family. In the 16th century Ayrshire was divided into three regions or bailiaries - Kyle , Carrick and Cunninghame. The two powerful families residing in Cunninghame - the Cunninghame's and the Montgomeries - had been involved in a dispute over landholdings which came to a head in 1586 when Hugh, the 4th Earl of Eglinton was attacked at the ford on the Annick Water (which flows through Stewarton) by 30 or so members of
3045-526: The King's Stable is now covered by a building associated with the old coaching inn. In March 1793 James Dunlop of Polkelly was the proprietor of Gardrum. Robert Craufurd of Craufurdland married Elizabeth Muir, daughter of the Laird of Pokelly in the 15th century and had three sons. Upon the death of Hugh Muir of Pokelly, Archibald Craufurd of Craufurdland married his widow, who was the eldest daughter of Archibald Boyd of Narston and Bonshaw. They had two sons and
3132-698: The Robertland Estate at the time of the sale. One of the better known occupants of the house was Dr John Cunningham, who enjoyed the annual visits of the townspeople to the estate. It was Cunningham's descendants who gifted the Cunningham-Watt Park to Stewarton. Robertland was owned by Alan Burns Williamson, Baron Robertland in 2004. Sir Edward Hunter-Blair, 8th Baronet "married" Jonet Clemency Wilson Reid of Robertland, daughter of David Reid of Robertland , Baron of Robertland and Archivist of Glasgow University and his wife Diana Rosamond Angell secretary of
3219-505: The South and West sides of the castle were considered to be natural. Many carved stones have been recovered from the moat and are preserved in the wall surrounding the garden. These stones include a Gargoyle , a rounded projectile of sandstone, and also a stone with a mason's mark. The garden wall has a stone with the date 1597 and the Latin sentence, Vita post fine eraverit (There will be life after
3306-519: The Swinzie Burn, with steep slopes on all sides. The whole length of the retaining South wall was discernible, about 1.6m wide. The castle interior was thought to be divided into two compartments by an earth-and-stone bank 3.0m wide and 0.7m high. A low bank to the west, 2.0m wide and 0.3m high, may have been the course of the West wall of the castle. The retaining East wall of the courtyard was entire and stood approximately 0.5m in height and 1.6m thick. Ditches on
3393-500: The W bank of the burn. Macgibbon and Ross, describing "Corsehill Castle" at the end of the 19th century as a very ruinous mansion, evidently of late date and apparently of the L-plan, and ascribe it to the period 1542-1700, must be referring to "Reuincraig". Grose, in 1791, published an illustration of "Corshill House", but does not give it a close siting. As, however, he mentions that "at a small distance from this ruin are some small remains of
3480-591: The Waird, Quhatfauld, Bathe, Jakisthorn, etc., " to David Cunninghame of Robertland. and the property was in use by William Logan, the Robertland Estate Factor, when a series of letters were written here from May 1774 to 1784. The lairds of Robertland, like their fellow lairds at Caldwell , Giffordland , Lyne and elsewhere, kept a town house in Irvine. Robertland was the Ayrshire home of Sir James Hunter Blair , who
3567-552: The Works in England between 1604 and 1606. Sir James Murray of Kilbaberton replaced him in 1607. Sir David Cunninghame was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia in 1630 and his son was a Commissioner of Supply. Diana Cunninghame was an only daughter of another Sir David. She married Thomas Cochrane of Polkelly in the mid 17th century and much of the estate was sold at around this time. In 1672 Alexander Cunninghame inherited Robertland; he married
Castle and Barony of Robertland - Misplaced Pages Continue
3654-693: The area - Lainshaw primary school and Nether Robertland primary school. Another reference to Stewarton, this time a historical recorded version, is that one Wernebald was given the Cunninghame lands by his superior, Hugh de Morville , the builder of Kilwinning Abbey who lived at this time in Tour near Kirkland in Kilmaurs. The family were originally from Morville in Normandy (Wernebald was from Flanders ) and had been established in Scotland for at least twenty years when one of
3741-521: The area of the Earl's planned visit. As a response to the killing the Montgomery family declared they would kill every Cunninghame who had been at the river that day and a series of 'tit for tat' killings were carried out between the two families. John Cunninghame of Clonbeith was eventually slain in Hamilton, Scotland , but several of those responsible for the murder fled to Denmark and were eventually granted
3828-452: The building alight. The Fire Brigade had much trouble obtaining water and the front was burnt out. The rear wing and outbuildings were saved and the front was rebuilt. The suffragettes left two postcards indicating that this was done as revenge for acts carried out against Mrs. Emmeline Pankhurst and to help force the church to act independently against the state on this issue of votes for women (Milligan). The footprints were followed through
3915-440: The end). In the gable of the home farm are the letters D.M.C. and apparently the date 1018. A dovecot was a feature of the mansion house outbuildings. The estate had been enclosed with hedges and ditches in about 1764. In 1607 Over, Nether Castleton and Fulshaw were part of the estate of Robertland, being held by David Cunninghame , his son Sir David, and in 1628 his son, also David Cunninghame . Over Lochrig (sic) near Stewarton
4002-482: The estate of Corsehill on the edge of Stewarton. In panic Máel Coluim pleaded for the assistance of a nearby farmer named either Friskine or Máel Coluim (accounts differ) who was forking hay on the estate. Friskine/Máel Coluim covered Máel Coluim in hay, allowing him to escape Mac Bethad and his associates. He later found refuge with King Harthacanute , who reigned as Canute II, King of England and Norway and in 1057, after returning to Scotland and defeating Mac Bethad in
4089-596: The event. It is thought that Robert Burnes , Uncle to the poet and latterly a resident in Stewarton, was the Robertland estate Land Steward. George Robertson gives a 'traditional' version of the death of the earl, in which Cunninghame of Clonbeith Castle is stated as being an accessory, caught and killed in Hamilton. The earl is said to have been on his way to a visit to the laird of Robertland Castle, but stops first for refreshment at Lainshaw Castle . The Laird of Lainshaw ,
4176-426: The existence of the castle or fortalice here (Hewitt 2006). Archibald Adamson in his 'Rambles Round Kilmarnock' of 1875 only records three castles, these being Robertland, Auchenharvie and Corsehill. He makes no mention of the name Ravenscraig, calling the site he visited Corsehill. Aitken only marks Crosshill Castle in 1829 on the west side of the Corsehill Burn. The first OS maps show only the existing castle site, so
4263-451: The family occupied the upper storeys. This defensive keep was surrounded by a moat which could be easily flooded by the nearby Swinsey Burn. The Montgomeries are believed to have burnt the castle down following the murder of the 4th Earl of Eglinton at Stewarton in 1586. In 1962 the RCAHMS visited and recorded that the castle and its courtyard remnants stood on the steep, natural, South bank of
4350-561: The family was involved in the murder of Thomas Becket . Dervorguilla of Galloway , mother of John Balliol , was a daughter of the Morvilles on her mother's side, and when Robert the Bruce won the crown the family of Balliol lost their lands in Cunninghame. The Red Comyn , whom Bruce murdered, was a nephew of Balliol. William Cunninghame de Lamberton was Archbishop of St. Andrews and a supporter of Bruce. Pont in 1604 - 08 records that so thickly
4437-416: The feudal Barony of Polkelly comprised Darclavoch, Clonherb, Clunch, with its mill, Le Gre, Drumboy, the lands of Balgray, with its tower, fortalice, manor, and mill, and the common of Mauchirnoch (Glenouther). The Lainshaw Register of Sasines records that Laigh and High Clunch were part of the lands and barony of Pollockellie or Pokellie. In the early 16th century during the reign of King James V Polkelly
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#17330851919764524-472: The former name is still used by locals. Historical records show that Stewarton has existed since at least the 12th century with various non-historical references to the town dating to the early 11th century. The most famous of these non-historical references concerns the legend of Máel Coluim III the son of Donnchad I of Scotland who appears as a character in William Shakespeare 's play Macbeth . As
4611-543: The grounds. A path known as the 'Weeping or Mourning Path' runs upstream from the Annick (previously Annack or Annock Water) Ford and this is where the Earl's widow is said to have wept as she later followed the trail of blood left behind as his panicked horse took him away from Bridgend. The Earl's body was placed in Lainshaw Castle until arrangements were made to remove it to Eglintoun Castle. The name Ravenscraig or Reuincraig
4698-420: The heiress of John Cunninghame of Kilmarnock, fourth son of the 7th Earl of Glencairn. Alexander had three children, David, Alexander and Jean (married Alexander Forrester). Sir William Cunninghame of Auchinskeith (now Dallars) acquired the property through marriage to Margaret Fairlie of Fairlie in the 18th century. In July 1616 William, Lord Kilmaurs, conveyed " the lands of Coktress, the manorplace of Kilmaurs,
4785-576: The high road; they knocked down and wounded those who complained; they stole, and wantonly destroyed, cattle; they subjected people to the torture of fire to discover to them where their money was hidden; they threatened to burn down houses if their demands were not at once complied with; besides free quarters they demanded money every day; they compelled even poor families to buy brandy and tobacco for them; they cut and wounded people from sheer devilment. " The cost of all this amounted to £6062 12s 8d in Stewarton parish. Cairnduff Hill overlooks Stewarton and
4872-479: The house after him were: Mr John Mcintyre, iron merchant of Glasgow; Mr Thomas Mcintyre MP of Sorn Castle; Mr Wallace Fairweather JP, DL of Mearns Castle and Mr Service of Glasgow. They were tenants of the house until Mr George Muir, JP of Howard Street, Kilmarnock purchased the estate from the Trustees of Mr J.J. Kerr after the mansion had been damaged by fire in 1914. It was totally renovated, and modernised, resulting in
4959-464: The house as it is today. The estate was put up for sale in 1913, consisting of 2,243 acres (9.08 km), with 71 acres (290,000 m) as woodland and 168 acres (0.68 km) as moss, 26 farms were present, and shooting rights were held for Glenouther Moor. Nether Robertland, Fulshaw, Clonherb, Broadmoss, Cauldhame, Braehead, Hairshaw, Lintbrae, Overhill, Burnfoot, Pokelly (East & West), Clunch (High & Low), Derclabboch and others were part of
5046-424: The house, upon discovering the identity of her visitor, begged the King for the life of her husband who was one of those to be tried by the King. The others were hanged, but the King dismissed the husband with the admonition "to be a better bairn". A version of the legend adds the detail that eighteen men were in the dungeon at Polkelly Castle and that the King added that if he was ever caught doing wrong again then all
5133-553: The lack of suitable materials locally. Buses run regularly to Kilmarnock from the Robertland Bus Terminus. Stewarton, like many other Scottish towns, holds an annual gala festival at the beginning of summer. Dating back to the days when Stewarton had a prosperous trade in bonnet-making, the 'Bonnet Guild' organises activities for the local residents and proclaims a 'Corsehill Queen', the most academically successful girl in 2nd year at Stewarton Academy . The Cadgers’ Fair
5220-506: The legend goes, Mac Bethad had slain Donnchad to enable himself to become king of Scotland and immediately turned his attention towards Donnchad's son Máel Coluim (the next in line to the throne). When Máel Coluim learned of his father's death and Mac Bethad's intentions to murder him, he fled for the relative safety of England . Unfortunately for Máel Coluim, Mac Bethad and his associates had tracked him down and were gaining on him as he entered
5307-469: The new survey has not perpetuate the error. To sum up, the map in Pont's 'Cuninghame' of 1604-8 shows two buildings, "Reuincraige" and "Corshill", at approximately NS 417 467 and NS 422 465 respectively, and Dobie (1876) comments that the two have often been confused, but that "Reuincraig" stood on the W of the Corsehill Burn and "Corsehill Mansion" on its E. "Reuincraig", he says, was so modernised about 1840 that it
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#17330851919765394-481: The old wives in Christendom would not be able to save him from the hangman's noose. The Gallow's Hill of Polkelly was long pointed out, being marked by a lone pine dule tree whilst the OS 'Name Book' records that it was a hawthorn tree as recorded in the old Statistical Account and that it stood on the lands of Damhead Farm. This tree is recorded in the 1850s as having been " cut down some 40 years ago ". King James
5481-488: The same name and one replaced the other, although only 'Old Corsehill' is still in any way visible, just the foundations of 'new' Coresehill being apparent in 2007. The same map shows buildings named 'Temple' in the area of 'Templehouse'. To prevent the Covenanters holding 'Conventicles', King Charles II moved highland troops, the 'Highland Host' into the west-land of Ayrshire. " They took free quarters; they robbed people on
5568-418: The secondary power centre within the feudal Barony of Rowallan . It became of minor importance when Balgray became the principal messuage of the free barony of Polkelly in 1512. The castle lay close to the Balgray Mill Burn. The castle remains were removed in the 1850s and used to create a road, only leaving the motte, measuring 23m by 16m. In 1590 a band of pirates harassed shipping near Ailsa Craig and as
5655-559: The site of a battle between the Douglas and De Mowbray families : "Syne till a strait place gan he ga, That is in Makyrnokis way, The Netherford it hat perfay; It lyis betuix marraisses twa, Qhuhar that na horss or lyve may ga." Blaeu's map dating from Timothy Pont's survey of the early 17th century records a tower without any woodland policies. Armstrong's map of 1775 shows two buildings recorded as Pockelly, but neither shown as
5742-411: The snow towards Fulshaw where they had parked a car and made good their escape towards Glasgow. The event caught the national press at the time. David Cunninghame of Bartonholme was the ancestor of this branch of the Cunninghame family. He was the only son of the second marriage in 1499 (to Dame Marion of Auchinleck), of William Cunninghame of Craigends. In 1526 James V gave Robertland to Henry Kempt,
5829-511: The sole heir. Margaret married Robert Cunningham of Cunninghamhead in March 1512. The stars of the Mures were added to the armorial bearings of the Cunninghams. After 50 to 60 years the family sold Polkelly to Thomas Cochran of Kilmaronock and in 1699 it passed to his brother William . David, the first Earl of Glasgow then acquired the property and it was held by James, Earl of Glasgow in the 1870s. In
5916-458: The south side was demolished, and it was in turn demolished when the present house of circa 1820 was built. The present-day Robertland House (2009) was designed in 1820 by David Hamilton, who also designed Dunlop House. Hamilton's acted as architect to the estate owner, Alexander Kerr. It has a pediment, pilaster terminated windows in an otherwise standard facade. Alexander Kerr was succeeded by his son, Mr John James Kerr, in 1847. Others to occupy
6003-505: Was able to subdue Sir Walter Cuming. For the sake of peace and security Sir Gilchrist married Sir Walter's daughter, Isabella . In 1399 Sir Adam Mure held the castle and upon his death it passed to his second son, the eldest obtaining Rowallan. The lands of Limflare and Lowdoune Hill were included in the inheritance. The castle and Barony of Polkelly was mainly held by the medieval Mure family , however Robert Mure of Polkelly had died by 1511, leaving his daughter Margaret, Lady Polkelly, as
6090-465: Was abundant on the Corsehill Burn below Robertland in 1915. As far away as Dalgarven Mill the white flowered variety still dominates. The plant is very adept at reproducing by asexual plantlets and this maintains the white gene pool around Stewarton. The pink variety has not been able to predominate here, unlike almost everywhere else in the lowlands of Scotland, England and Wales. Claytonia sibirica
6177-399: Was an annual event unique to Stewarton in the 18th Century. "Our annual fair took place on Monday last. In the morning there was a large turnout of cattle. . . . Our Cadgers’ procession was a slight improvement on some former occasions, and headed by a brass band they marched through the town, thence to a field on the farm of Robertland where the races took place". Horses were traded and much of
6264-579: Was at Darlington, the village which lay just beyond Stewarton on the Kingsford road before the East Burn. Corsehill castle is shown in one old print of 1691 by Gross as Corsehill House and substantial remains existed until the railway was constructed and most of the ruins were used to build the embankment. It is recorded that an avenue of trees ran down from the well planted Corsehill into Stewarton. The single tower that remains today (2006) of Ravenscraig / Corsehill
6351-509: Was at one time a part of the estate. In 1628 Waterland in the Parish of Dunlop was part of the estate. In 1770 the lands and Barony were sold, including the Superiority of Halket, Hazelbank and Water-Land. Alexander Kerr, a Stewartonian tobacco entrepreneur, purchased Robertland in around 1813, built the present house in 1820 and after his death his son John James inherited and leased Robertland to
6438-478: Was central to the assassination, Margaret Cunninghame, was originally from the Cunninghame stronghold of Aiket Castle ; David Cunninghame of Robertland was married to one of her sisters. The son of this David, also a David Cunninghame of Robertland , was Master of the king's Works in Scotland after the death of William Schaw . He may have been an architect and followed the court of James VI to England, having first been knighted in 1604 and then made Surveyor to
6525-542: Was commanded to find "sufficient caution and surety" that the complainer would be free from any violence on his part. It is suggested that tensions had not arisen earlier as previously Polkelly was passed to younger sons of the Mures upon their marriage and this came with an allocation of rights on the moor. Dobie records that the Macharnock River gave rise to the name of the Kilmarnock Water. He also states that
6612-491: Was difficult to realise that it had been ruined in 1608, while the ruins of "Corsehill" were removed about the beginning of the 19th century and only foundations could be traced when he wrote. He also thought that "Reuincraig" (i.e. Ruin Craig) was not an original name. If Dobie is correct, the ruins published as "Corsehill Castle" on the OS 6", must be those of "Reuincraig", both because they are standing remains, and because they are on
6699-444: Was introduced from its native North America, quite possibly at the Robertland Estate. The origins of the name are not known, however the spelling is consistent and it may be simply 'Robert's Lands'. The name Swinzie and Sinzie may relate; the latter being Scots for a feature that cuts between two others, as does the burn, cutting a glen through the hillside. In 1670 Sir Alexander Cunninghame had some of his horses seized for payment of
6786-426: Was located between Lochridge and Ward Park house. Stewarton Golf Club (now defunct) was founded in 1912. The club disappeared following WW2. On 27 January 2009, a BP tanker train carrying liquid fuels (diesel and heating oil) from Mossend to Riccarton was derailed at the bridge over the Stewarton to Kilmaurs road at Peacockbank Farm. Several wagons subsequently caught fire. The Lochrig Burn was badly polluted, however
6873-531: Was made in Stewarton as well as many other Ayrshire localities, such as Beith . Robert Burns 's uncle, Robert Burnes , is known to have helped guard the Stewarton Laigh Church graveyard against the activities of body snatchers. David Dale , industrialist, merchant, philanthropist and founder of the world famous cotton mills in New Lanark , was born in Stewarton in 1739. He was the son of William Dale,
6960-475: Was modelled. Sir William Cunninghame of Auchinskeith (now Dallars) acquired the property through marriage to Margaret Fairlie of Fairlie and he also invited Robert Burns to Robertland. The Lady 'C', referred to in letter of 3 April 1786 to Robert Aitken in Ayr, may have been Lady Cunninghame. Burns wrote to Sir William at Robertland in 1789. Burns was researching the origin of the song 'The Lass of Peaty's Mill' and during
7047-455: Was one of the wealthy and influential ' Tobacco Lords .' He was married to Diana Barr (born 31 January 1786 & died 9 June 1868, aged 65) and he lived from 22 March 1775 to 5 May 1847, dying at the age of 73 and buried at the Laigh Kirk in Stewarton. The dates and descriptions suggest that the 'lofty house of six storeys' was built on the north side of the Swinzie Burn after the old castle on
7134-511: Was repaired to stabilise it. It seems that Ravenscraig and Corsehill Castles were separate entities, and that a vague memory of Templehouse and its fortalice at Darlington on the lands of Corsehill farm, may have caused some extra confusion as in the King’s Kitchen tale of the location of the Baronial residence. An area opposite the site of Templehouses was known as 'The Castle' and this may reflect
7221-514: Was the district about Stewarton and along the banks of the Irvine populated for a space of 3 or 4 miles (5 or 6 kilometres) " that well traveled men in divers parts of Europe (affirm) that they have seen walled cities not so well or near planted with houses so near each other as they are here, wherethrough it is so populous that, at the ringing of a bell in the night for a few hours, there have seen convene 3000 able men, well-horsed and armed." Another significant event from Stewarton's history involves
7308-471: Was the number or proportion of cattle which each tenant was entitled to keep on the common grazing. In 1594 William Mure of Rowallan complained of the excess of Polkelly's grazing cattle and geese on the moor, despite having obtained a caution of lawburrows on May 20, 1593. Lawburrows was a letter in the monarch's name under the signet seal to the effect that a particular person had shown cause to dread harm from another, and that therefore this other complained of
7395-420: Was the son of an Ayr merchant, and changed his name, adding 'Blair' upon his marriage. He was Lord Provost of Edinburgh from 1784–1786 and entertained Robert Burns at his Edinburgh home and gave him assistance. Burns refers to him in his poem, Elegy on the death of Sir James Hunter Blair . Burns also visited Robertland and is said to have revealed the identity of Tam O'Shanter as being Douglas Graham during
7482-447: Was the spouse of Robert Mure of Pokellie (sic). Tensions arose between the Cunninghams and Mures over their rights regarding grazing, etc on the very large and valuable area of common grazing to the north of Polkelly known as Machirnock or Maucharnock, now Glenouther. A royal letter of 1534 states that the Cunninghams had not been invested in the moor and it was decided that the souming was split between Polkelly and Rowallan. The souming
7569-572: Was titled "roadmaker in Stewarton", being employed by the Kilmarnock to Irvine road committee. He worked with the specifications of a road 24 feet (7.3 metres) wide, 14 inches (36 centimetres) thick in the middle to 10 in (25 cm) in the sides, the understratum to be made of stones not exceeding 6 lb (2.5 kg) tron weight and 6 in (15 cm) thick, etc. Very precise requirements which would cost seven shilling per fall from Annick Bridge to Gareer Burn, but ten shillings per fall from Gareer Burn to Corsehouse bridge (Crosshouse) because of
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