116-774: Hessilhead is in Beith , North Ayrshire , Scotland. Hessilhead used to be called Hazlehead or Hasslehead . The lands were part of the Lordship of Giffen , and the Barony of Hessilhead, within the Baillerie of Cunninghame and the Parish of Beith. The castle was situated at grid reference NS380532 . In the late 19th century, the castle was described as "now roofless and ruinous, is an oblong structure, built at two periods, measuring some 74 feet (23 m) by 38½ feet. The old west part
232-521: A burial ground for the Woodside family. Later on, however, it was closed for further burials and partly renovated, with the old high wall replaced by railings and paths dugs over the ground. Presently, there are no sepulchres of the old baronial families left standing, and the earliest graves date back only until 1710. There are a number of memorials to the Spier and Dobie families within the grounds of
348-414: A convenient stopping off point for those involved in nefarious activities. A possible relic of the smuggling days of Beith is the ley tunnel that is said to run from Eglinton Street to Kilbirnie Loch. Now a small housing estate, the house and land of Morrishill stood a short distance south of Beith. It commanded an excellent view and was well sheltered with trees. Owned by Robert Shedden, who purchased
464-449: A cross, according to the taste of the times . It has been suggested that Coldstream Mill was built at this time and Robertson comments on the excellent lands of Cauldstream. Dr. Robert Patrick had planned to build a new mansion in the vicinity of the ruins of the castle and had already laid down the gardens . Dobie also records that a little to the south of the ruined castle there was a singular echo, which slowly and plaintively repeated
580-717: A factory near the Beith Town railway station and persuaded the railway company to build a siding to allow easy transportation of raw materials and finished products. The industry expanded across the local area making it a centre of excellence in furniture manufacturing, and building its reputation throughout the world. In the late-1920s, transportation switched away from the railway but the industry continued to burgeon with many companies producing high-quality furniture: Macneill Bros, specialised in board room and library fittings, Stevenson and Higgins made lift cages, which were fitted in many hotels and department stores, Balfours were for
696-484: A factory setting 3 miles (5 kilometres) outside of the town at Beith North railway station. After approximately twelve years, Pollock and his brothers sold the factory to Robert Balfour, and moved into the town to expand their business. Balfour suffered the same problems as the Pollock Brothers in being unable to attract employees from the town willing to walk the 3 miles (5 kilometres) to work. In 1872, he built
812-476: A foot soldier recently returned from the Crusades to tell the false tale of the death of Henry Montgomerie. The ruse was carried off with success and after a short while Allan pressed his attentions again and the marriage day was set. On the very day of the wedding, Henry returned to Hessilhead castle and discovered the treacherous act, but he fell from his horse on his way to claim his bride and died. At midnight
928-546: A footpath network around the woodland area. William Fulton Love, writer and bank agent in Beith, built Geilsland House and developed this small estate near Gateside in the 19th century although the deeds go back to the 17th century. Geilsland was a special school, run by the Church of Scotland as part of its CrossReach initiative. This mansion house and estate stood on the outskirts of Beith in an area now cut through by
1044-508: A group of four standing stones, the 'Druids' Graves', rediscovered in 1813, stands nearby surrounded by an enclosing drystone dyke and also located in the area is the likely site of a pre-reformation chapel near Kirklee Green and Lochland's Loch. Beith Beith (locally / b iː ð / ) is a small town in the Garnock Valley , North Ayrshire , Scotland approximately 20 miles (30 kilometres) south-west of Glasgow . The town
1160-623: A number of years the main manufacturers of mantlepieces in Scotland , some were designed in the elegant style, and required the skill of expert woodcarvers. Matthew Pollock Ltd supplied furniture to both the RMS ; Queen Mary and the RMS Queen Elizabeth II . I am from beith and believe it was beithcraft who supplied furniture for the RMS Queen Elizabeth II Furniture is no longer produced in Beith due to
1276-482: A poem under the name of 'Canowan' it was the site of a battle in the wood of Beit at the close of the day. Beith is said to have been the occasional residence of Saint Inan , a confessor of some celebrity, whose principal place of abode was Irvine . He flourished about 839. Although he is said to have been a hermit , according to tradition Saint Inan often visited Beith, frequenting Cuff Hill with its Rocking Stone and various other prehistoric monuments. A cleft in
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#17327984206161392-458: A sawmill and a mill dam nearby. The hamlet may have once been known at Nethertoun as well as 'Haselet' from 'Hessilhead Hamlet'. The school had closed by 1897 and Howie's of Dunlop, the owners of the estate, obtained the bell in the 1930s to Dunlop . A small Hessilhead 'Farm Town' hamlet still exists (co-ordinates 55°44′34.2″N 04°34′31.9″W / 55.742833°N 4.575528°W / 55.742833; -4.575528 ), dating from at least
1508-807: A time in Doune Castle . He later emigrated and became a member of the US congress and in July 1776 he voted for the Resolution for Independence . In answer to an objection that the country was not yet ready for independence, according to tradition, he replied that it " was not only ripe for the measure, but in danger of rotting for the want of it. " Witherspoon was also the sixth president of Princeton University and showed great commitment to liberal education and republican government. He died in 1794 on his farm that he had built" Tusculum, " just outside Princeton , and
1624-484: Is a committee of North Ayrshire council. The trust committee decided in 2007 to investigate ways of making better use of the assets of the trust in particular the former school grounds and the council worked in partnership to set up a Friends of Spiers (FoS) organisation to develop ideas and seek funding. North Ayrshire Council was successful in an application to the Forestry Commission to provide funding for
1740-557: Is about 0.5 km (0.31 mi) wide for the most part and has an area of roughly 3 square kilometres (740 acres). The loch is fed mainly by the Maich Water and is drained by the Dubbs Water that runs into Castle Semple Loch . Early authors often use the term "Garnoth" or "Garnott" and may be referring to a single large loch incorporating Kilbirnie Loch and Loch Winnoch (Barr and Castle Semple Lochs). Boece in his book of 1527
1856-493: Is accompanied by a photograph that shows substantial ivy-clad ruins set in a garden landscape with lawns, shrubs, trees and a well maintained paths. In 1956 the Royal Commission recorded that Hessilhead Castle has been demolished. Extensive quarrying around the site has removed any possible traces of a moat. No building vestiges remain. ; this is however inaccurate as traces of rubble and foundations are still visible on
1972-469: Is apparent. Steps once led down to the waterwheel which was not removed but was buried in situ. A largely intact example of a 'Victorian' era water pump survives next to the Dusk water within the clachan. This pump was powered via a small waterwheel and a sluice and weir arrangement once directed water to it. drinking water did nor usually come from water courses due to the risk of pollution by stock, etc and it
2088-859: Is buried in the Princeton Cemetery . –His direct descendants include actress Reese Witherspoon , and he is commemorated by statues in Washington D.C. , [1] Archived 2 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine at the University of the West of Scotland in Paisley , and a plaque, placed by DSDI in 2009 in Beith town centre. The Scottish Poet Robert Tannahill 's relatives lived at Boghall Farm near Gateside . His mother, Janet Pollock, came from Boghall although she spent much of her life at
2204-480: Is known locally as " Dummy Cottage ". The entire outside of the sandstone building is indented with marks giving it a most unusual appearance; in earlier years it was a Toll House . A deaf-and-dumb young man lived in the cottage in earlier times, hence the unfortunate acquired name " Dummy Cottage ". Kilbirnie Loch (NS 330 543), is in the floodplain of between Kilbirnie , Glengarnock and Beith, and runs south-west to north-east for almost 2 km (1.2 mi),
2320-632: Is marked from 1912, when a curling pond makes its first appearance, to the north-west of the castle ruins. In 1827 a lime works is shown on the map in the grounds of the castle. In 1807, Dr. Robert Patrick of Trearne purchased the Hessilhead estate. Robert Patrick was an army medic and was appointed Inspector of Hospitals in 1801. John Shedden Patrick F.R.S.E. was his heir in 1838 and in 1844 Robert Shedden Patrick of Trearne and Hessilhead succeeded. James Dunlop lived at Trearne Lodge in 1820 with his wife. James met Major General Sir Thomas Brisbane through
2436-439: Is more likely to be around 80%. The current population is around 6,000 helped by the completion of ten private housing estates dating from 1966 to the present and by redevelopment of sites within the town. The town has good transport links to Glasgow . North Ayrshire is ranked fifth highest in Scotland in terms of percentage of the population living in the most deprived areas. These areas have been targeted for regeneration by
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#17327984206162552-484: Is no longer the case and the stone is now fully set into the ground. An article was published in Cumnock Chronicle in 1907 on the reason for the stone being dislodged. Signed by a Messer's Robert Boyle & Robert Currie. The area surrounding Willowyards and its whisky bond are characterised by a black staining that covers all living and non-living surfaces to varying degrees. The research that first led to
2668-465: Is not clear what the water from the burn was used for. The Balgray lands were at one time a part of the Hessilhead estate, and were in the 16th century were owned by the Montgomeries. John Stevenson and John Muir were connected with these lands in the early 18th century. Only a cottage and barn survive from what was a larger group of farm buildings, recorded on OS maps, most of which survived until
2784-467: Is situated on the crest of a hill and was known originally as the " Hill o' Beith " (hill of the birches) after its Court Hill . Beith's name is thought to emanate from Ogham , which is sometimes referred to as the " Celtic Tree Alphabet ", ascribing names of trees to individual letters. Beithe in Old Irish means Birch-tree (cognate to Latin betula ). There is reason to believe that the whole of
2900-418: Is the following stanza :- "Thou Francis of Giffen thou's bigot as hell, And Brodie in nonsense in this doth excell, For rebellion engrained you may each bear the bell, Wherefore sin on and be damned." Francis built an addition to the old tower as well as slating the roof, making it one of the finest properties in the district. Francis also planted extensively, mostly as avenues or rides running to
3016-498: Is the main source of the Powgree Burn and partly lay on the lands of Boghall. On or around the margin of the loch piles or stakes of oak or elm have been discovered and it is thought that these may be the remains of crannogs . The Beith Rocking Stone , sits on top of Cuff Hill. According to local folklore, Saint Inan frequented the stone. Legend states that the stone rocked from side to side on an unseen fulcrum, however this
3132-495: The Abbot of Kilwinning used to administer justice to his vassals & tenants. It is a sub-oval, flat-topped mound, situated at the foot of a small valley . A number of large stones are visible in the sides of the mound. It is turf-covered, probably situated on a low outcrop, and is mostly an artificial work. Pre-dating the channelling of the burn which detours around it, the mound was probably isolated in this once marshy outflow of
3248-644: The American Declaration of Independence , the Rev. John Witherspoon , was a former minister of one its Church of Scotland parishes between 1745 and 1757. In 1745 he led the men of Beith to Glasgow to defend King George III against the Young Pretender in the '45 rebellion. Despite receiving orders to return to Beith, Witherspoon carried on, was captured at the Battle of Falkirk and imprisoned for
3364-476: The Bark Mill was educated here and after the school's closure he obtained the bell for use at his works in Beith to signal the start and end of the day; it is now located at Netherhouses, near old Templehouse, Dunlop. The school had originally been single storied and thatched, however a second storey was added in 1844 with substantial outside steps and it was slated at this time. The origin of Farm Towns lies in
3480-1586: The Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland , the sheriffdoms of Ayr and Renfrew were jointly represented by one Member of Parliament in the Protectorate Parliament at Westminster. After the Restoration , the Parliament of Scotland was again summoned to meet in Edinburgh. Parliament 1 January 1661 – 9 October 1663 Sir John Crawford of Kilbirnie (died 1662) Robert Montgomerie of Hessilhead Convention 2–4 August 1665 Sir Thomas Wallace of Craigie John Cunningham of Brownhill Convention 9–23 January 1667 Sir John Cochrane of Ochiltree Sir Thomas Wallace of Craigie Parliament 19 October 1669 – 3 March 1674 William Blair of Blair Convention 26 June–11 July 1678 William Blair of Blair Parliament 28 July 1681 – 1 March 1682 Sir John Cochrane of Ochiltree Sir John Cunningham of Lambroughton Parliament 23 April 1685 – 15 June 1686 William Blair of Blair Convention 14 March–24 May 1689 William Blair of Blair (died 1690) Sir James Montgomerie of Skelmorlie Parliament 5 June 1689 – 30 June 1702 Francis Montgomerie of Giffen By Act of Parliament 14 June 1690,
3596-482: The Druids , part of the old Hessilhead Barony. It no longer rocks due to people digging beneath to ascertain its fulcrum. It is in a small wood and surrounded by a circular drystone wall. A cleft in the west-front of Cuff hill is still known as 'St. Inan's Chair' and said to have been used by the saint as a pulpit . and a crystal clear holy well existed nearby, now sadly covered over (2006). On Cuff Hill were also located
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3712-527: The Heritors of Beith, anno 1734 ″. The kirk had been built in a rather precarious position on a cliff-side, and from 1807 to 1810 it was rebuilt a little further up the hill as the new Parish Church . The Heritors then moved the older portions of the Auld Kirk to the new one, leaving only the front door, the clock and the belfry. There was not much left of the old kirk after that, and it came to be used as
3828-514: The Hillman Imp , a competitor to BMC's Mini , and provided up to 9,000 jobs during peak production but was closed by Peugeot-Citroen in 1981. It has been estimated that 13,000 workers were left jobless in the region as both direct and indirect consequences of the Linwood closure. In 1966 a local survey estimated that 48% of the population worked outside the town whilst today the figure
3944-764: The Historia Gentis Scotorum (History of the Scottish People), says that this one entity was "nocht unlike the Loch Doune full of fische". There is a long history of drainage schemes and farming operations in the Lochwinnoch area, with co-ordinated attempts dating from about 1691 by Lord Sempill , followed by Colonel McDowal of Castle Sempil in 1774, James Adams of Burnfoot, and by others. Until these drainage works Loch Winnoch and Kilbirnie Loch nearly met and often did during flooding, to
4060-1776: The House of Commons of the United Kingdom . List of shire commissioners [ edit ] 1605, 1609: Sir John Wallace of Carnell Parliament or Convention Commissioners Parliament 12–13 October 1612 none Convention 7 March 1617 William Cunningham of Caprington Josias Steuart of Bonytown Parliament 27 May–28 June 1617 Convention 25–26 January 1621 none Parliament 1 June–4 August 1621 Bryce Blair of Blair Sir John Wallace of Carnell Convention 27 October–2 November 1625 John or Hew Cathcart of Carleton David Dunbar of Enterkine Parliament 15 September 1628 – 28 June 1633 Sir William Cunningham of Cunninghamhead James Chalmers of Gaitgirth Convention 28 July–7 August 1630 Bryce Blair of Blair Alexander Cunningham of Corsehill Parliament 15 May 1639 – 17 November 1641 Sir William Cunningham of Cunninghamhead Hugh Campbell of Cessnock Henry Montgomerie (from 2 April 1640) Convention 22 June 1643 – 3 June 1644 Sir William Mure of Rowallan James Fullarton of Crosbie Sir John Crawford of Kilbirnie (from 10 April 1644) William Cochrane of Cowdoun (from 10 April 1644) Parliament 4 June 1644 – 27 March 1647 Hugh Campbell of Cessnock (from 7 January 1645) Parliament 2 March 1648 – 6 June 1651 Sir William Cunningham of Cunninghamhead James Fullarton of Fullarton Sir Hugh Campbell of Cessnock (from 4 January 1649) During
4176-580: The Office for National Statistics , based on the 2011 Census estimates, 91.2 per cent of the 6,200 inhabitants of Beith were born in Scotland, with 6.9 per cent born in the United Kingdom, 0.8 per cent from other countries in the European Union and 1.2 per cent classified as other country. Ayrshire (Parliament of Scotland constituency) Constituency of
4292-2884: The Parliament of Scotland before the Act of Union 1707 Burghs Aberdeen Annan Anstruther Easter Anstruther Wester Arbroath Auchterarder Ayr Banff Berwick Brechin Burntisland Campbeltown Crail Cromarty Cullen Culross Cupar Dingwall Dornoch Dumbarton Dumfries Dunbar Dundee Dunfermline Dysart Edinburgh Elgin Forfar Forres Fortrose Glasgow Haddington Inveraray Inverbervie Inverkeithing Inverness Inverurie Irvine Jedburgh Kilrenny Kinghorn Kintore Kirkcaldy Kirkcudbright Kirkwall Lanark Lauder Linlithgow Lochmaben Montrose Nairn New Galloway North Berwick Peebles Perth Pittenweem Queensferry Renfrew Rothesay Rutherglen St Andrews Sanquhar Selkirk Stirling Stranraer Tain Whithorn Wick Wigtown Shires Aberdeen Argyll Ayr Banff Berwick Bute Caithness Clackmannan Cromarty Dumbarton Dumfries Edinburgh Elgin and Forres Fife Forfar Haddington Inverness Kincardine Kinross Kirkcudbright Lanark Linlithgow Nairn Orkney and Shetland Peebles Perth Renfrew Ross Roxburgh Selkirk Stirling Sutherland Tarbert Wigtown Authority control databases [REDACTED] VIAF WorldCat Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ayrshire_(Parliament_of_Scotland_constituency)&oldid=1179857607 " Categories : Constituencies disestablished in 1707 Constituencies of
4408-614: The local authority . This involves the targeting of activity and resources by the community planning partnership in relation to housing, crime, income, employment, health, skills and training and access to services. A small area of Beith is one of three regeneration areas in the Garnock Valley . These are the smallest regeneration areas in Ayrshire . This is partly because rural deprivation tends to be less geographically concentrated than urban deprivation, and so it remains more hidden, being experienced by individuals and households rather than
4524-518: The 1580s the Duke of Lennox held the patronage of the Archbishopric of Glasgow and settled this 'tulchan' post on Robert Montgomerie of Hessilhead in 1581 who was however forced to formally resign as Archbishop of Glasgow in 1587. A ' tulchan ' post was one where the patron enjoyed the emoluments of the post whilst the holder was not expected to undertake many of the duties. Robert died circa 1609,
4640-409: The 1740s judging by William Roy's map as previously noted. The site, although undergoing rapid change, appears to be a rare survival of a typical 18th century 'Ferm Toun'. Porterfield in his 'Rambles Round Beith' relates that the name of this clachan was 'Haselet' from 'Hasslehead Hamlet' (sic), previously 'Nethertown'. Matthew Pollock who established Beith's Caledonia Cabinet Works in the town and at
4756-608: The 1827 map of the parish. The Knights Templar had owned considerable lands and properties in the bailiary of Cunninghame, regality of Kilwinning and in the early 17th century, Robert Montgomerie acquired the rights to these Templelands from the Sandilands family of Calder, the Lords Torphichen and thus became the feudal superior. He also had the lands of the bailiary of Kyle Stewart. The value of these lands largely lay in their near exemption from taxation. In about 1720
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4872-419: The 1890s. Duskwater Cottage was the blacksmith's and a cobbler also worked here. A fine example of an old well survives, thirty feet deep with a sandstone slab cover, pierced with a hole that once held the hand pump. Hessilhead Mill has been demolished, however the circular grain kiln remnants survive, attached to the ruins of the miller's house. The course of the lade is discernable and the watergate or sluice
4988-469: The Auld Kirk, and also a memorial to Robert Patrick of Hazelhead (Inspector General of Army Hospitals). A sundial dating from the 1840s is also visible, and a stone coat of arms thought to originate from the Auld Kirk manse can be seen nearby, in Reform Street. Beith Townhouse was built by public subscription in 1817; the lower part of the building originally consisted of two shops, one of which
5104-468: The Beith markets were frequented by merchants from the neighbouring towns every week. By the 1730s, the declining linen cloth business was being succeeded by considerable trade in linen yarn. Crawford Brothers, flax spinners and makers of linen thread and shoe thread opened in Crummock in 1775 and moved to a factory at Barr Farm, Barrmill in 1836. The factory changed hands, continuing in production as
5220-1451: The Campbells , vol. II (1921) p. 59 . ^ Foster, p. 255. ^ Return of MPs , p. 562. ^ Foster, p. 261. ^ Foster, p. 145. ^ Foster, p. 81. ^ Complete Baronetage , vol. II, p. 350 . ^ Foster, p. 73. ^ Return of MPs , p. 564. ^ Return of MPs , p. 570. ^ Return of MPs , p. 574. ^ Foster, p. 256. ^ Return of MPs , p. 575. ^ Foster, p. 350. ^ Complete Baronetage , vol. IV (1904) p. 277 . ^ Foster, p. 86. ^ Complete Baronetage , vol. IV, p. 273 . ^ Return of MPs , p. 577. ^ Foster, p. 72. ^ Complete Baronetage , vol. IV, p. 299 . ^ Return of MPs , p. 579. ^ Foster, p. 29. ^ Return of MPs , p. 582. ^ Return of MPs , p. 584. ^ Return of MPs , p. 586. ^ Return of MPs , p. 589. ^ Complete Baronetage , vol. II, p. 336 . ^ Return of MPs , p. 591. ^ Foster, p. 30. ^ Foster, p. 82. ^ Foster, p. 57. ^ Return of MPs , p. 599. ^ Foster, p. 93. ^ Foster, p. 33. v t e Constituencies of
5336-459: The Dusk Water. During WW2 Trearne House was used by the army, following which it became Gresham House Boarding School. The school had a cook, a matron and five or six teachers up. There would be about thirty boys in the private boarding school, many of whom had parents who worked abroad. The remains of many small and large fossiliferous limestone quarries are present in the area and have led to
5452-486: The English Sewing Company until 1946. Beith merchants purchased the yarn made in the local area, and sold it to Paisley and Glasgow manufacturers. The demand for the commodity encouraged local farmers to raise great quantities of flax , and the linen yarn trade peaked around 1760. The manufacture of silk gauze superseded both trades and, from 1777 to 1789, the number of looms in the town producing
5568-611: The North Ayrshire Heritage Centre, including the arched stone known as the shrine . Images of these shrine stones can be viewed in The Gallery section below. A plaque remembering James Dobie resides in Beith Auld Kirk. The Court Hill is near Hill of Beith, below the site of Hill of Beith Castle , Gateside , in the old Barony of Beith. Dobie states that this is the moot hill on which
5684-809: The Old Parliament of Scotland Before the Acts of Union 1707 , the Barons of the Sheriffdom or Shire of Ayr elected commissioners to represent them in the Parliament of Scotland and in the Convention of the Estates . The number of commissioners was increased from two to four in 1690. After the Union, Ayrshire returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of Great Britain and later to
5800-585: The Parliaments of Scotland , 1621/6/12 . ^ Return of MPs , p. 554. ^ Foster, p. 67. ^ RPS , A1625/10/1 . ^ Foster, p. 124. ^ Return of MPs , p. 555. ^ Complete Baronetage , vol. II (1902) p. 325 . ^ Return of MPs , p. 557. ^ RPS , A1630/7/1 . ^ Foster, p. 85. ^ Return of MPs , p. 558. ^ Foster, p. 53. ^ G. Harvey Johnston, The Heraldry of
5916-550: The Parliaments of Scotland . See also [ edit ] List of constituencies in the Parliament of Scotland at the time of the Union References [ edit ] ^ Foster, p. 349. ^ Return of Members of Parliament , p. 549. ^ Return of MPs , p. 550. ^ Foster, p. 87. ^ Foster, p. 331. ^ Return of MPs , p. 551. ^ Return of MPs , p. 553. ^ Records of
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#17327984206166032-884: The Patricks of Trearne and went on to become the Astronomer Royal for New South Wales, Sir Thomas being the Governor of New South Wales and a great enthusiast for astronomy. James Dunlop died in Australia, having become a Fellow of the Royal Society, London and Edinburgh and the recipient of many medals recognising his achievements. Trearne House had been built about 1870, almost on the 'footprint' of an older mansion house. Mr and Mrs Ralston-Patrick lived for some time in Burnhouse Manor until their new house
6148-487: The Protestant Confession of Faith was established. In around 1576, Gabriel Montgomerie of nearby Scotston was slain by adherents of the Montgomeries of Hessilhead. Hugh had a son Robert who inherited in 1602, passing the estate on to his son Robert circa 1623. This Robert was a Commissioner of Supply for Ayrshire and his son, also Robert, succeeded in 1648 and was one of the representatives for Ayrshire in
6264-521: The Scottish forces in The Netherlands for a time in the later 1570s. He died between the years 1607 and 1611. The range of his work is extensive, from elegant court songs to the bitter, sometimes contorted word-play of the sonnets associated with the dispute over his pension, from witty pieces addressed to the king to the profound religious sensibility of 'A godly prayer'. Montgomerie is one of
6380-644: The barony to deliver justice at the Court Hill or attend to other business and later the local laird. No clearly undisputed remains have been found of the tower or grange buildings, however the New Statistical Account of 1845 written by the local minister, George Colville, states that the castle stood close to the Court Hill. Loch Brand or Bran was the name by which Boghall Loch was formerly known. The loch, now almost completely drained,
6496-411: The castle and also removed parts of the walls, as well as cutting down and selling an impressive old Yew tree. In the 1960s the remains of the castle were blown up on the instructions of Howie of Dunlop. Robertson records that Francis Montgomery of Giffin had added to the old square castle ..a great addition in a more modern stile. He also comments on the extensive tree planting that was in the shape of
6612-409: The closure of the various manufacturing firms. The closures were caused by a multitude of problems such as the economic downturn, and an inability to compete with self-assembly furniture firms and their increase in popularity. The last major furniture manufacturer to close was Beithcraft (formerly Balfours) which finished in 1983 (after a major fire a few years earlier, which destroyed large sections of
6728-572: The common medieval sub-division of land called a ploughgate (104 acres), the extent of land which one plough team of oxen could till in a year. This area was again subdivided into four husbandlands, each of 26 acres (110,000 m). Each husbandland could provide two oxen and eight oxen were need for a plough-team. This arrangement led to small farm towns like Hessilhead being established with accommodation for at least four men in six to eight houses, taking practical considerations into account. A similar 'ferm toun' existed at Bloak , near Auchentiber , until
6844-493: The destruction of much of the old estate features. Trearne House and the ancient Saint Bridget's chapel and well suffered the same fate. The flooded quarry close to the old castle is now in use by the Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre for the recuperation of swans and other waterfowl. Limekilns were present in the woods below Over Hessilhead Farm and near Broadstone Hall . A 'lime works' is shown on
6960-483: The district was covered with woods. The town of Beith itself was once known as 'Hill of Beith' as this was the name of the feudal barony and was itself derived from the Court Hill near Hill of Beith Castle . Alternatively, Beith may be derived from Cumbric *baɣeδ , 'boar' ( Welsh baedd ). The local pronunciation of the name would favour this theory. The Wood of Beit, now the 'Moor of Beith', has been identified as an Arthurian site where according to Taliessin in
7076-513: The estate from his father, Hugh Montgomerie of Bawgraw (Balgray). John was slain at the battle of Flodden in 1513 and the estate passed to his son Hugh, who died on 23 January 1556. Hugh's heir was his son John who was appointed one of the tutors to Hugh, third Earl of Eglintoun. John married Margaret Fraser of Knock and was succeed in 1558 by his son Hugh. This young Hugh was a member of the Convention Parliament of 1560, at which
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#17327984206167192-400: The extent that, as stated, early writers such as Boece, Hollings and Petruccio Ubaldini regarded the lochs as one, using the name "Garnoth" or "Garnott". Spier's (pron. Speers ) school stood on the Barmill Road near the old Marshalland Farm . It was built for Mrs Margaret Spier of the Marshalland and Cuff estate in 1887 to commemorate John Spier, her son, who had died at the age of 28,
7308-450: The fact that as it was on the boundary of the lands held by the old Chapel of Saint Bridget then a cross was erected nearby to mark the limits of the church lands. In 1672 the lands were held by John Anderson whose wife was Janet Barclay. John also held the lands of Geilsland . Thomas had inherited by 1697 and then James Anderson. The lands of Cruckhills later passed into the ownership of Hugh Wilson A shocking series of incidents occurred in
7424-416: The farm town of Hazelhead and the ruins of Hazlehead. Hessilhead in its later days was occupied by the family of Lord Glasgow , and after they left, the proprietor, a Mr. Macmichael, about the year 1776, took off the roof and allowed the place to go to ruin. Circa 1887 - 92 it is described as being enclosed as a garden. Dobie records the despoiler of Hessilhead as a Mr. Carmichael, who sold the materials from
7540-417: The finest of Middle Scots poets, and perhaps the greatest Scottish exponent of the sonnet form. Robert Burns was indebted to Alexander as is apparent from his imitating his style and adopting some of his quaint expressions. The Cherrie and the Slae , which he probably revised and completed shortly before his death, is an ambitious religious allegory, employing a demanding, lyrical form which suggests that it
7656-425: The first parliament of King Charles II. He had a daughter, Mary, who married MacAulay of Ardincaple. Robert Montgomerie sold Hessilhead to the seventh Earl of Eglinton's (1613–1669) second son, The Right Hon. Francis Montgomerie inherited the nearby Giffen Castle and lived an eventful life. He was one of the Lords of the Privy Council, and a Commissioner of the Treasury, in the reign of William III and Queen Anne. He
7772-399: The former Boghall Loch (see NS35SE 14). In the 12th century the Barony of Beith was given to the Tironensian monks of Kilwinning Abbey by the wife of Sir Richard de Morville . The farm or Grange of the monks is indicated by the name Grange Hill and a castellated tower indicated as once existing in the area may have been the local dwelling of the Abbot of Kilwinning when he was visiting
7888-437: The gauze peaked at approximately 170. From 1845 until the 1980s, Beith had the honour of being the most important furniture-manufacturing town in Scotland with a reputation for high-quality furniture. The origins of the industry can be traced back to Mathew Dale who started by making hand-built furniture for local people in 1845. A former employee of Dale, Matthew Pollock progressed the manufacturing by introducing machinery in
8004-480: The general improvements, carried out by the Right Honourable Francis Montgomerie, who as previously stated, extended the castle so that it was for a long time reckoned to be the best house in the district. John Andrew is listed in 1782 as the heir to John Miller, his grandfather, miller in Coldstream. In 1810, the mill passed to William Fulton of Beith , by whom it was sold to David Kerr, merchant of Beith and Andrew Gibson, baker, in 1815. William Caldwell then purchased
8120-421: The greatest Scottish exponent of the sonnet form. Beith has a historical connection to smuggling and built a reputation during the 18th century as being a town which harboured those whose intentions were not always lawful. In 1733 forty or fifty Beith smugglers sacked the Irvine Customs House, escaping with a rich booty of confiscated contraband goods and by 1789 a company of 76 soldiers were quartered in
8236-404: The grounds. The 16 acres (6 hectares) of woodland and gardens remain a popular site for dog walkers, bird watchers, and those out to enjoy the rural surroundings. There are a number of memorials to the Spier's family in the Auld Kirk grounds and in the local area. The Spier's family left a trust for providing financial help to those from the Garnock Valley pursuing further education. The Trust
8352-540: The hair, pulled her onto the floor, kicked her in the bowels, and bruised her shamefully. Gabriel intended to shoot the Laird, however the whole household was now awake and the two only just managed to escape by stealing a horse and locking the castle gate from the outside. The Laird, Hew Montgomerie, hastened to Thirdpart where John and Gabriel came out with pistols and drawn swords and attacked Hew Montgomerie, injuring him on various parts of his body and leaving him for dead. He
8468-445: The home of her uncle, Hugh Brodie, who farmed at Langcroft at the foot of Calder Glen, near Lochwinnoch . Robert Tannahill (3 June 1774 - 17 May 1810), was known as the 'Weaver Poet', his music and poetry is contemporaneous with that of Robert Burns and they both died when relatively young. Henry Faulds , the originator of the concept of forensic use of fingerprinting , was born in Beith in 1843. A well-travelled man, he explained
8584-502: The land in 1748, it is notoriously linked to the case of James Montgomery. James Montgomery, an enslaved African , was brought from Virginia to Beith by Shedden. He wanted Montgomery, then called " Shanker ", apprenticed to a joiner so that he would learn a skill and could then be sold for a large profit back in Virginia . James was trained in carpentry by Robert Morrice, husband of Shedden's sister Elizabeth Montgomery. When Shanker
8700-585: The lands passed to the Wallaces of Carnell, at Fiveways near Kilmarnock. Later Dr. Robert Patrick of Trearne & Hessilhead purchased the superiority, although this was of little real value after the abolition of heritable jurisdictions in 1747. Coldstream Mill was built to serve the Barony and castle of Hessilhead. It was officially known as Whitestone Mill in the Lands of Coldstream. It was first mentioned in 1728, but it may have been built circa 1673, as part of
8816-471: The larger communities. The area of Beith targeted for regeneration amounts to 359 households and 635 people (approximately 10% of the town's population). The Beith Auld Kirk began as a parish church in 1593. It was built in the form of a cross and was dedicated to Saint Inan . A bell tower and clock were added in 1800. The old bell still stands, and bears this inscription: " This bell was given by Hew Montgomerie, sone of Hessilhead, anno 1614, and refounded by
8932-450: The last of her ten children. It was designed by Campbell Douglas . The school started as a fee paying day and boarding school, becoming part of the county education system in 1937. Following the construction of Garnock Academy , Spier's school closed in 1973 and the buildings were demolished in 1984. Robert Spier and family lived in Beith at number 62 Eglinton Street, formerly Whang Street, and they unusually had their own private chapel in
9048-488: The locality of Hessilhead, starting on 19 July 1576 when the Lady of Hessilhead slapped one Robert Kent, servant to Gabriel, brother of John Montgomerie. The servant complained to his master and Gabriel went to his brother at the old Thirdpart mansion for advice. John advised him to seek revenge and the next morning Gabriel and Robert gained entry into Hessilhead Castle where they found the lady alone, upon which they grabbed her by
9164-532: The main Dalry to Glasgow road. Built for the Kerr family in the 18th century, Crummock was sold in 1815 to William Wilson, who added to the house and improved the grounds. James Dobie , the historian and author, and his family lived here from 1836. Now demolished and a housing estate built on the site, some boundary walls and a cottage remain. Historic stones which had been built into the kitchen garden were donated to
9280-553: The mansion house. This Dutch style had the avenues in straight lines and at right angles. In the 1860s much of this designed landscape still existed. In 1697 Francis was made one of the commissioners looking into witchcraft following the Christian Shaw case in which five out of 24 accused persons were burned at the stake. In 1692 the spelling of the name was Hyslehead. Francis's son John contracted such debts that Hessilhead had to be disposed of by judicial sale in 1722 and
9396-399: The mid 20th century. The 1797 (dated on the lintel) barn, category B listed , would have been thatched or slated originally, with a lime harl that has entirely disintegrated. An arched opening, now blocked up, suggests that originally this building was used as a cart shed. Ventilation slits survive on all sides. The small wing to the 1767 cottage could have been used as storage or for cattle;
9512-468: The mill and it remained with the family for the next hundred years. Thomas Caldwell was the miller in 1841, but by 1871 Thomas is farming and the miller is Robert Jack. David Fergie is the miller in 1881, Thomas having retired. By 1891 Robert Jack is the miller again and the sons of Thomas, William and Thomas, are the owners. In 1921 the Smith family bought the mill from Thomas Caldwell, Joseph Smith having been
9628-419: The miller since 1911. Andrew, son of Joseph, worked the mill until 1991. After being enlarged, Coldstream Mill was used for preparing animal feed or meal, grinding linseed cake, beans, maize and barley. The mill had three sets of stones, two working whilst one was being dressed (serviced and sharpened). The mill never had an electricity supply and never needed any auxiliary power thanks to the mill pond. The mill
9744-418: The plant) with the loss of 420 jobs. With this final closure came the end of Beith's reputation for being one of the main furniture manufacturers in the country. This history of carpentry is remembered in the nickname of the local football team, Beith Juniors , who are commonly referred to as " The Cabes " (Cabinet Makers). A large Defence Munitions (DM) centre is located between Beith and Barrmill. The site
9860-401: The scientific identification of the organism causing this black and velvety encrustation was partly carried out using samples from Willowyard. The organism causing what is commonly known as 'Warehouse Staining', is a black fungus, Baudoinia compniacensis which is harmless and feeds upon the 'Angels's Share' of alcohol evaporating from the whisky barrels. Country of birth, 2011 According to
9976-875: The shire of Ayr was allocated two additional Commissioners. Sir James Montgomerie of Skelmorlie (place declared vacant 28 April 1693) Francis Montgomerie of Giffen William Mure of Rowallan (died 1700) Hugh Buntine of Kilbryde John Crawford of Kilbirnie John Campbell of Shankstown Parliament 12 November 1702 – 25 March 1707 Francis Montgomerie of Giffen William Dalrymple of Drongan Sir Hugh Cathcart of Carleton John Crawford of Kilbirnie (created Viscount of Mount Crawford 10 April 1703) John Brisbane of Bishopton , yr Sources [ edit ] Return of Members of Parliament (1878), Part II. Joseph Foster , Members of Parliament, Scotland (1882). George Edward Cokayne , The Complete Baronetage , 5 vols (1901–6). The Records of
10092-519: The side of the shield, on the Dexter side. The Auld Kirk of Beith had the Hessilhead loft in the East Wing. The loft and the carved wood Montgomerie of Hessilhead coat of arms were removed when the new church was built. The OS map shows that Hessilhead Cottage sat next to a well maintained walled garden, however by 1897 the garden had fallen into ruin. A gamekeepers cottage with a nearby pheasantry
10208-508: The site, and the drainage from the quarry does use what was once a moat. Timothy Pont in around 1604 records that the castle was protected by substantial ditches and stood on a loch . This loch has long since been drained and the ditches filled in. William Roy's map of 1747 - 55 shows a farm town of Hazlehead and nearby, set amongst fairly extensive ornamental rides and plantations, the castle of Heeselhead (sic). Armstrong's map of 1775 marks Hazlehead and finally John Thomson's map of 1832 gives
10324-474: The sole heir, married Sir John de Montgomerie of Eaglesham . Elizabeth's mother was Giles, daughter of Walter, lord high steward of Scotland, and sister of King Robert II . When Hugh Eglintoun of that Ilk, her father, died soon after 1378 the Montgomerie family inherited the lands and hereafter Hessilhead's history is bound up with that family. Sir John Montgomerie of Hessilhead and Corsecraigs inherited
10440-584: The suitability of fingerprinting for the identification of criminals and also wrote to Charles Darwin to forward his ideas. The letter was never published and he died in 1930, aged 86, bitter at the lack of recognition he had received for his work. His work in Japan is remembered by a memorial stone in Tokyo . In 2007 a memorial was also placed in view in Woolstanton near to St Margaret's churchyard, where he
10556-458: The surviving doocot shows that pigeons were kept in the loft above as an additional source of food. The category C(s) listed cottage, now much altered, had small windows typical of the 18th century and has some smart details that separate it from the typical rubble-built smallholding , with very prominent skewputts and cavetto eaves course illustrating its sophistication. Crookhill is a corruption of 'Crosshill' and makes reference in its name to
10672-546: The town dealing with the continuing illicit trade in tea, tobacco, and spirits. This caused great inconvenience to the law-abiding citizens on whom the soldiers were billeted. The town was policed in this fashion for some time thereafter. Hence, the Main Street's popular public house is still called the Smugglers Tavern, recalling the days when Beith's location between the coast and Paisley and Glasgow , made it
10788-551: The voice once, throwing a melancholy charm over this scene of departed grandeur. The first recorded holder of the lands of Hessilhead was Hugh de Eglintoun, who obtained the lands following forfeiture. Eglin, Lord of Eglintoun is the first of the family recorded, living during the reign of King Malcolm Canmore ; he may have been one of the Saxon barons who accompanied King Malcolm (who died in 1093) on his successful return to Scotland. The family continued until Elizabeth de Eglintoun,
10904-507: The wedding feast was halted abruptly by the figure of the fully armour clad Neil Montgomerie striding into Aiket Castle hall, lifting up the Lady Anna and then vanishing into the night. Neither soldier nor bride were ever found. The Lockhart, Loccard or Lockhard family are believed to have been the first owners of the Barony of Kilmarnock. Symington is named after a Flemish knight, Simon Loccard. The 16th century poet, Alexander Montgomerie
11020-410: The west-front of Lochlands Hill is still known as " St. Inan's Chair " and said to have been used by the saint as a pulpit. An unsuccessful search for the saint's writings which were said to be preserved in the library of Bonci, Archbishop of Pisa , was made by Colonel Mure of Caldwell in the 19th century. Saint Inan is said to have preached to the assembled people from the chair on the hill. There
11136-499: Was a brother of the poet Alexander, married Beatrice Jameson and had one son, also named Robert. The reformer Andrew Melville prosecuted Robert Montgomery and for this he was summoned before the Privy Council in 1584, and had to escape to England to avoid being charged with treason. The Cuff Hill rocking stone (NS 3827 5542) is a large glacial erratic boulder of basaltic greenstone lying on porphyrite that some associate with
11252-727: Was a younger son of the Renfrewshire laird Hugh Montgomerie of Hessilheid (d. 1558), and related both to the Earl of Eglinton and to King James VI (later James I of England ). Nothing is known about his life before about 1580, but contemporary or near-contemporary accounts suggest that he was brought up as a Protestant , spent some time in Argyll before leaving for the Continent, and was converted to Catholicism in Spain. He may have served in
11368-463: Was an ironmonger's operated by George B. Inglis from 1862 until around 1900. There was also a small room where prisoners were kept prior to their appearance in the upper hall which was used as a JP Court, Sheriff Small Debt Circuit Court, meeting of the road trustees and as a public meeting room. It was also used as a public reading room. For the first twenty years the management of the Town House
11484-540: Was apparently a 15th-17th century keep; the east addition was built by Francis Montgomerie, who bought the estate in 1680. Both old and new parts are vaulted on the ground floor; the upper parts are too ruinous to describe. The mansion was allowed to become ruinous about 1776." It was noted by Pont as a strong old building, surrounded with large ditches and situated on a loch. An article in the Kilmarnock Standard of August 1949 titled Ancient Ayrshire Castles
11600-568: Was appointed in 1706 as one of the Commissioners for Scotland for the Treaty of Union. The Act of Union was very unpopular in some quarters. A song of 1706 on the Union reads:- "There's Roseberry, Glasgow, and Dupplin, And Lord Archibald Campbell and Ross, The President, Francis Montgomery, Wha ambles liked any paced horse." In another, called "Lines upon the Rogues in Parliament,"
11716-651: Was baptised in Beith Parish Church (by the Rev. John Witherspoon ) with the name James Montgomery in April 1756, Shedden objected. Montgomery was dragged nearly 30 miles (50 kilometres) to Port Glasgow behind horses to be taken back to Virginia but escaped to Edinburgh before the ship sailed. Montgomery sought justice but before a decision could be made by judges he died in Tolbooth Gaol. A signatory of
11832-421: Was bought by Colonel Patrick Ogilvie who had married Elizabeth, one of John's sisters. The colonel sold the property to Robert Brodie of Calderhaugh, who in turn in 1768 sold it to Michael Carmichael. The coat of arms of the Montgomeries of Hessilhead are Azure , two lances of Tournament, proper, between three Fleurs-de-lis , Or , and in the chief point an Annulet , Or, Stoned, Azure, with an Indentation in
11948-440: Was built in 1807 and extended in 1885. Gothic T-plan kirk dominated by the tall five-stage tower. Stained glass by Gordon Webster. Harrison & Harrison pipe organ 1885. The High Church is a category B listed building. Our Lady of Perpetual Succour RC Church was built with a churchyard, in 1816, to replace the 1761 building on a different site. Re-built in 1910, it became a Roman Catholic place of worship in 1921. Scapa Cottage
12064-437: Was built in 1883, designed by architect Robert Baldie. The chief external feature is a graceful octagonal tower. The interior was destroyed by fire in 1917, and rebuilt in 1926. Gothic style, with rectangular nave, Gothic arched chancel and one transept on the east side. The stained glass windows are by John C Hall & Co. Organ 1937 by Hill, Norman & Beard. The church is a category C listed building. The Beith High Church
12180-560: Was hoped at the time, that it would reduce costs by £50m a year by 2010. Historically in recent times, the major employers in the area were the Glengarnock Steelworks and the Linwood car manufacturing plant . Outwith the furniture industry, a large proportion of the local population were employed within these industries. At its peak, the local Steelworks had 3,000 employees, but by the time it closed in 1985 it had been reduced to 200. The Linwood car plant manufactured
12296-541: Was in the hands of the JPs of Beith, Dalry, and Kilbirnie, the heritors of the parishes, the propietors of certain houses in Beith, and finally tenants of said houses within 1 ⁄ 2 mile (800 m) of the cross. Beith hosts three listed 19th-century churches: Two Beith Parish Churches of the Church of Scotland , and the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. The Trinity Church
12412-509: Was intended for singing, despite its considerable length. The Cherry and the Sloe in the title may derive from an allusion to the cherry being virtuous and the sloe being easily plucked but bitter to the taste and representing vice. His poetry reaches back to the earlier Makars, Robert Henryson, William Dunbar and Gavin Douglas, and some of his work invites comparison with Baroque writers. Alexander
12528-553: Was laid to rest. On 12 November 2004 a substantial memorial stone with interpretation plaques were dedicated to his memory in Beith town centre close to the site of the house in New Street where he was born. Aitken was a land surveyor and cartographer who published in Beith a New Parish Atlas of Ayrshire in 1829. About the time of the Act of Union , trade in linen cloth was introduced to Beith, which became so considerable, that
12644-581: Was not a great population in the area at that time and the people were located not in Beith, but up on the top of the Bigholm near to the old Beith water dams . The first settlements were in the heavily wooded areas around the dams where people were safe from attack and could get food from the land, and fish in the lochs. The Saints of old went where the people were, and they also tended to go where there had been worship of heathen gods. It has been suggested that High Bogside Farm, which used to be called Bellsgrove,
12760-465: Was one of the last court poets to write in Scots. A later poem was entitled a 'Spring Morning' and described one of the royal palaces, probably Linlithgow, on such a morning. Alexander's son, also Alexander, was reportedly bewitched, together with his cousin, Mrs. Vallange. The case, and therefore the witch, went to trial, because of their 'trouble and sickness', but the court's verdict isn't recorded. In
12876-531: Was originally developed in 1943 as a conventional Royal Naval Armaments Depot, munitions store, for the Royal Navy, the Ministry of Defence continues to maintain the armament depot, DM Beith , in the area. As part of Ministry of Defence reorganisation plans in 2005, the 360 posts at DM-Beith were cut by 60. This was attributed to changes in the way equipment and supplies were stored and distributed, and it
12992-437: Was pledged to marry his true love, Anna Cunninghame of Aiket Castle . They were to marry upon his return from the crusades , however Allan Lockhart, son of a neighbouring Baron began to pay frequent visits to the inmates of Aiket Castle. His courtship was in vain and he would have no success unless the Crusades were to claim Henry Montgomerie. After many more months had passed Allan decided to use trickery and eventually persuaded
13108-639: Was ready for them. By 1877 Mr and Mrs Ralston-Patrick were living in the new Trearne. Jenny Kerr was probably the last person born at Trearne Lodge; her mother was living there with her parents when her father was a Lieutenant in the Glasgow Highlanders, and was fighting in France during the first World War. Over Hessilhead was on the Trearne Estate along with Hessilhead, Townend of Hessilhead and an estate saw mill with its water wheel driven by
13224-493: Was really " Baalsgrove ", which fits in with the story of Saint Inan going to where the pagan gods were. There is an annual civic fete held in the town bearing Saint Inan 's name. The sixteenth century poet Alexander Montgomerie was probably born in Hazelhead (now Hessilhead ) Castle, which is on the outskirts of Beith, beyond Gateside . Montgomerie is regarded as one of the finest of Middle Scots poets, and perhaps
13340-499: Was rescued by some neighbours who took him to Hessilhead castle where he recovered from his wounds. Soon afterwards, Hessilhead men, probably from Nethertoun, including one named Giffen, killed Gabriel Montgomerie after setting up an ambush for him. On 26 August, John Kent and another brother, Walter, went to try to kill the Laird, but could not find him. None of the court cases resulted in a guilty verdict, because 'honour' had been satisfied on both sides. Henry Montgomerie of Hessilhead
13456-456: Was the last traditional working water mill in Ayrshire and one of the last in Scotland. Some of the items for the mill are on display at the nearby Dalgarven Mill museum near Kilwinning. The mill was converted to a private house and the waterwheel and mill pond have been preserved as part of this development. The 1858 OS map shows a small settlement with a school, a dwelling called Damback,
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