Mauchline
1846
MAUCHLINE, a manufacturing town and parish, in the county of Ayr, 8½ miles
(S. E. by S.) from Kilmarnock, and 11 (E. N. E.) from Ayr; containing, with
the villages of Haugh and Auchmillan, 2156 inhabitants, of
whom 1336 are in the town, 90 in the village of Haugh, 35 in that of
Auchmillan, and the rest in the rural districts of the parish. This place
derives its name from the Gaelic magh, a meadow, and linn, a lake, which
together are descriptive of its most prominent features. The town is
situated on the south side of a hill that intersects the parish, and at no
great distance from the river Ayr; it was formerly a burgh of barony, and
still retains something of its original character, being governed by a
baron-bailie in conjunction with the county magistrates. It is neatly built
and well inhabited. A public library is supported by subscription, and a
certain portion of the funds is annually appropriated to the augmentation of
the collection. The inhabitants are principally engaged in weaving, and in
the manufacture of shoes, and snuff-boxes of wood. The manufacture of
snuff-boxes affords employment to about 140 persons, and the articles
produced are of admirable workmanship and of a great variety of elegant
patterns; the weavers work at their own dwellings for the manufacturers of
Glasgow and Paisley, and many of the inhabitants are occupied in the various
trades requisite for the supply of the neighbourhood. The woollen
manufacture is carried on in the village of Haugh, where is a mill
for that purpose, which gives employment to thirty persons, chiefly in
spinning yarn for the carpet manufactory of Kilmarnock. There are also a
corn-mill, a lint-mill, a saw-mill, and one for grinding reaping-hooks, all
set in motion by the Ayr. A post-office is established; and facility of
communication is afforded by excellent roads, of which the turnpike-road
from Ayr to Edinburgh, and that from Glasgow to London, intersect each other
in the town; and by an elegant bridge over the river, which has one arch one
hundred feet in span, and ninety feet high. Fairs are held on the first
Thursday after the 4th of February, for cows and horses and for hiring
servants; the second Thursday in April, for cows and general business; the
first Wednesday after the 18th of May, and the third Wednesday in June, for
cows and horses; the first Wednesday in August, for cows and horses and
hiring of shearers; the first Thursday after the 26th of September, or on
that day if it be Thursday, for cows, horses, ewes, and lambs; the first
Thursday after the 4th of November, and the 4th Wednesday in December, for
cows and horses. A horse-race takes place on the last Thursday in April.
There is a small prison for the temporary confinement of petty offenders
against the peace.
The parish has been reduced in extent by the separation from it of the
parishes of Sorn and Muirkirk, and part of Tarbolton;
it is situated nearly in the centre of the county, and is about eight miles
in length and from two to four miles broad, and comprises 7206 acres, of
which 500 are woodland and plantations, and the remainder arable in good
cultivation, with a moderate portion of meadow and pasture. The surface is
level, with the exception of a lofty ridge which intersects it in part from
east to west, and terminates in a hill in the parish of Tarbolton. The river
Ayr flows, in part of its course, between precipitous banks of red freestone
about fifty feet in height: along it are numerous caverns cut out of the
rock, and in other parts its sides are richly wooded, presenting some
pleasingly-picturesque features. Near Barskimming it receives the
waters of the Lugar; and after a course of ten miles further, it
falls into the Frith of Clyde at Ayr. The only lake is Loch Brown, a
fine sheet of water covering about sixty acres of ground, and frequented by
aquatic fowl; it was long in contemplation to drain this lake, but it has
been preserved for the supply of the mills to which it gives motion. There
are numerous springs affording an abundant supply of water of excellent
quality; some are supposed to possess mineral qualities, but they have not
been yet analysed. The soil is various, but chiefly of a clayey nature
interspersed with light sand, and in some parts a rich loam; it is well
adapted to the culture of trees, of which several have attained a luxuriant
growth. The crops are, grain of all kinds, potatoes, turnips, and carrots.
The system of agriculture is improved, and the rotation plan of husbandry
generally adopted; furrow-draining has been practised to a considerable
extent, and the lands are inclosed with hedges of thorn kept in excellent
order; the farm-houses are roofed with slate, and the offices well arranged
and commodious. The woods are of oak, elm, beech, ash, and plane, and the
plantations of larch, firs, ash, birch, and hazel; they are carefully
managed, and in a very thriving state. On the lands of Barskimming
are some larch-trees of remarkably fine growth; and in the churchyard is a
stately and venerable ash, fifteen feet in girth, and apparently of great
age. The substrata are chiefly limestone, ironstone, coal, and white and red
freestone; the three first appear in beds of inconsiderable thickness, and
are not wrought. The strata of red freestone are more than forty feet in
depth, and extensively quarried for building purposes; the white freestone
is exceedingly compact and durable, and is employed chiefly for paving and
similar uses. The rateable annual value of the parish is £7572.
Ballochmyle is a handsome mansion in the Grecian style, and chiefly of
the Ionic order; Netherplace is a spacious castellated mansion in the
Elizabethan style, pleasantly situated in a well-wooded demesne; and
Kingincleugh Cottage is also a good residence.
Mauchline is in the presbytery of Ayr and synod of Glasgow and Ayr, and
patronage of the Marquess of Hastings;
the minister's stipend is £230. 19. 11., with a manse, and a glebe valued at
£20 per annum. The church is a handsome and spacious edifice in the later
English style, with a square embattled tower crowned by angular turrets
rising to the height of ninety feet, and was erected in 1829, to replace the
old church, which, being much dilapidated, was taken down; the interior is
elegantly arranged and well lighted, and is adapted for a congregation of
1100 persons. There is a place of worship for the United Associate synod.
he parochial school
affords a liberal education; the master receives a salary of £34, with £40
fees, and a house and garden. There is also a school at Crosshands;
the master has a house and garden given by
the Duke of Portland.
Eight friendly societies are maintained in the town, two of which have been
established for many years, and possess considerable funds; and all have
contributed greatly to diminish the number of applications for parochial
relief. A savings' bank was founded in 1815.
A battle is said to have
taken place at Mauchline Muir, between the King's forces and
the Covenanters,
in 1647, when the former were defeated; and their military chest, which had
been buried in the ground for concealment, was many years afterwards
discovered. The only remains of an ancient monastery that existed here,
subordinate to the abbey of Melrose, consist of a tower in the village, to
which has been attached a building converting it into a residence called
Mauchline Castle, for some time the abode of
Gavin Hamilton,
Esq., the friend of the poet Burns,
who for nearly nine years occupied the farm of Mossgiel, in this
parish, and while here published the first edition of his works, by the
advice and under the patronage of Mr. Hamilton. Mauchline confers the title
of Baron on the Marquess of Hastings.
From: A Topographical
Dictionary of Scotland (1846)
and .co.uk