Short History of Ayrshire
@ayrshirehistory.bsky.social
History, folklore, myth and maybe some fun from the best region in Scotland. The artist formerly known as the Kingdom of Strathclyde, Damnonii, and many more names.
Reposted by Short History of Ayrshire
(1/8) Newmilns, a town in East Ayrshire once famous for its lace industry, was one of the loudest voices in Scotland’s anti-slavery movement during the American Civil War. The town - now with a population of just 2700 – was once a 6000 strong centre of industry.
November 19, 2024 at 5:23 PM
(1/8) Newmilns, a town in East Ayrshire once famous for its lace industry, was one of the loudest voices in Scotland’s anti-slavery movement during the American Civil War. The town - now with a population of just 2700 – was once a 6000 strong centre of industry.
Happy St Andrews Day everybody. In Ayrshire we know that the best night of celebration is still a couple of months away though😉
November 30, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Happy St Andrews Day everybody. In Ayrshire we know that the best night of celebration is still a couple of months away though😉
A bit of a personal appeal here. Ayrshire has been blessed with relative peace for centuries, but there are parts of the world which are going through the worst at the moment. I know it’s hard, and morally impossible, to prioritise just one tragedy right now, but I’ve a very good friend...
November 29, 2024 at 7:01 PM
A bit of a personal appeal here. Ayrshire has been blessed with relative peace for centuries, but there are parts of the world which are going through the worst at the moment. I know it’s hard, and morally impossible, to prioritise just one tragedy right now, but I’ve a very good friend...
Reposted by Short History of Ayrshire
(1/7) The reputation, perception, and role of Kilmarnock – as with any place – has changed over time. Some historical depictions have been kind, others not so much. in 1609, Timothy Pont visited Kilmarnock when making a survey of Cunningham, and gave a quaint description:
November 18, 2024 at 4:25 PM
(1/7) The reputation, perception, and role of Kilmarnock – as with any place – has changed over time. Some historical depictions have been kind, others not so much. in 1609, Timothy Pont visited Kilmarnock when making a survey of Cunningham, and gave a quaint description:
(1/6) Over the centuries many Ayrshire villages have come and gone, abandoned due to loss of industry or relocation of residents. The largest of these is Darnconner, a village that grew out of the farming, iron, and mining industries near Auchinleck.
November 26, 2024 at 5:41 PM
(1/6) Over the centuries many Ayrshire villages have come and gone, abandoned due to loss of industry or relocation of residents. The largest of these is Darnconner, a village that grew out of the farming, iron, and mining industries near Auchinleck.
(1/3) In the 1850s several Neolithic arrowheads were found on Lanfine Estate in the Irvine Valley and donated to the Museum of Science and Art in Edinburgh. One was found under 10-feet of moss, as described by the museum. Jane Murray provioded more information in her 1994 PhD saying:
November 25, 2024 at 1:46 PM
(1/3) In the 1850s several Neolithic arrowheads were found on Lanfine Estate in the Irvine Valley and donated to the Museum of Science and Art in Edinburgh. One was found under 10-feet of moss, as described by the museum. Jane Murray provioded more information in her 1994 PhD saying:
(1/4) Prior to the construction of the new Ayr Academy in 2015, an incredible excavation was undertaken by GUARD Archaeology. The strongest evidence uncovered was of a Roman camp, set up strategically around AD 80 between camps near Girvan and Strathaven...
November 22, 2024 at 2:24 PM
(1/4) Prior to the construction of the new Ayr Academy in 2015, an incredible excavation was undertaken by GUARD Archaeology. The strongest evidence uncovered was of a Roman camp, set up strategically around AD 80 between camps near Girvan and Strathaven...
(1/7) The Ayrshire coastline has provided Firth of Clyde bound sailors, captains and smugglers with a formidable task over the centuries. The lee shore (a shore which the wind blows toward), rocky outcrops and estuary sandbanks make navigation in stormy weather a major hazard, and have wrecked...
November 21, 2024 at 6:39 PM
(1/7) The Ayrshire coastline has provided Firth of Clyde bound sailors, captains and smugglers with a formidable task over the centuries. The lee shore (a shore which the wind blows toward), rocky outcrops and estuary sandbanks make navigation in stormy weather a major hazard, and have wrecked...
(1/8) Newmilns, a town in East Ayrshire once famous for its lace industry, was one of the loudest voices in Scotland’s anti-slavery movement during the American Civil War. The town - now with a population of just 2700 – was once a 6000 strong centre of industry.
November 19, 2024 at 5:23 PM
(1/8) Newmilns, a town in East Ayrshire once famous for its lace industry, was one of the loudest voices in Scotland’s anti-slavery movement during the American Civil War. The town - now with a population of just 2700 – was once a 6000 strong centre of industry.
(1/7) The reputation, perception, and role of Kilmarnock – as with any place – has changed over time. Some historical depictions have been kind, others not so much. in 1609, Timothy Pont visited Kilmarnock when making a survey of Cunningham, and gave a quaint description:
November 18, 2024 at 4:25 PM
(1/7) The reputation, perception, and role of Kilmarnock – as with any place – has changed over time. Some historical depictions have been kind, others not so much. in 1609, Timothy Pont visited Kilmarnock when making a survey of Cunningham, and gave a quaint description:
Reposted by Short History of Ayrshire
(1/11!) A bit of a longer story here (by BlueSky standards!) but hopefully one worth your time. Its a tale the like of which will have been told countless times over countless locations across the world, but this one happend in our very own Ayrshire.
November 14, 2024 at 8:37 PM
(1/11!) A bit of a longer story here (by BlueSky standards!) but hopefully one worth your time. Its a tale the like of which will have been told countless times over countless locations across the world, but this one happend in our very own Ayrshire.
(1/8) A folk tale from Ayrshire to brighten your saturday:
One fine summer morning, the Laird o‘ Co’ (Lord of Culzean), as the people of Ayrshire knew him, was taking a wander on this green. On his wander he saw a small boy standing at the castle gate and went to greet him, kind as the Laird was.
One fine summer morning, the Laird o‘ Co’ (Lord of Culzean), as the people of Ayrshire knew him, was taking a wander on this green. On his wander he saw a small boy standing at the castle gate and went to greet him, kind as the Laird was.
November 16, 2024 at 11:28 AM
(1/8) A folk tale from Ayrshire to brighten your saturday:
One fine summer morning, the Laird o‘ Co’ (Lord of Culzean), as the people of Ayrshire knew him, was taking a wander on this green. On his wander he saw a small boy standing at the castle gate and went to greet him, kind as the Laird was.
One fine summer morning, the Laird o‘ Co’ (Lord of Culzean), as the people of Ayrshire knew him, was taking a wander on this green. On his wander he saw a small boy standing at the castle gate and went to greet him, kind as the Laird was.
The early 1900s saw the campaign for women’s suffrage sweep across Britain, and the women of Ayrshire made sure their voices were heard. Between 1904 and 1905 branches of the Women’s Social and Political Union were set up in Ayr, Ardrossan, Kilmarnock, Saltcoats, and many rural communities.
November 15, 2024 at 4:17 PM
The early 1900s saw the campaign for women’s suffrage sweep across Britain, and the women of Ayrshire made sure their voices were heard. Between 1904 and 1905 branches of the Women’s Social and Political Union were set up in Ayr, Ardrossan, Kilmarnock, Saltcoats, and many rural communities.
(1/8) The oldest remaining building in Ayrshire is thought to be Kilwinning Abbey. The abbey was formed by mediaeval Tironensian Order around the year 1162, deriving its name from Saint Winning. Saint Winning is said to have placed a curse on the River Garnock after his monks failed despite...
November 15, 2024 at 9:56 AM
(1/8) The oldest remaining building in Ayrshire is thought to be Kilwinning Abbey. The abbey was formed by mediaeval Tironensian Order around the year 1162, deriving its name from Saint Winning. Saint Winning is said to have placed a curse on the River Garnock after his monks failed despite...
(1/11!) A bit of a longer story here (by BlueSky standards!) but hopefully one worth your time. Its a tale the like of which will have been told countless times over countless locations across the world, but this one happend in our very own Ayrshire.
November 14, 2024 at 8:37 PM
(1/11!) A bit of a longer story here (by BlueSky standards!) but hopefully one worth your time. Its a tale the like of which will have been told countless times over countless locations across the world, but this one happend in our very own Ayrshire.
The National Library of Scotland has a lot of great historical resources, including a huge variety of maps which date back centuries. They're best to interact with on the website so here's a link to a 1774 map of Ayrshire by Alexander Baillie to get you started! maps.nls.uk/view/216442530
View map: Baillie, Alexander., A map of Ayr-shire. Reduced from captain Armstrong's six sheet map - Counties of Scotland, 1580-1928
maps.nls.uk
November 14, 2024 at 4:16 PM
The National Library of Scotland has a lot of great historical resources, including a huge variety of maps which date back centuries. They're best to interact with on the website so here's a link to a 1774 map of Ayrshire by Alexander Baillie to get you started! maps.nls.uk/view/216442530
(1/6) Loudoun Hill: East Ayrshire’s own wee bit of volcano and the sight of two battles. The volcanic plug is prominent across the hilly East Ayrshire landscape, visible from tens of miles around and sitting at the end of the Irvine Valley.
November 14, 2024 at 4:03 PM
(1/6) Loudoun Hill: East Ayrshire’s own wee bit of volcano and the sight of two battles. The volcanic plug is prominent across the hilly East Ayrshire landscape, visible from tens of miles around and sitting at the end of the Irvine Valley.
(1/6) Many residents of Ayrshire – men and women - fell foul to the centuries-long witch trials that swept across Europe during the late Middle Ages. One such woman was Bessie Dunlop. Bessie lived on a farm near Dalry in North Ayrshire.
November 14, 2024 at 10:36 AM
(1/6) Many residents of Ayrshire – men and women - fell foul to the centuries-long witch trials that swept across Europe during the late Middle Ages. One such woman was Bessie Dunlop. Bessie lived on a farm near Dalry in North Ayrshire.
(1/3) If you ever find yourself down at Ardrossan Castle, be careful who's hand you shake. It's said that former resident and gifted horseman, Sir Fergus De Barclay, made a deal with the Devil there, granting him a magic bridle which allowed control of even the wildest horse - but at a price.
November 13, 2024 at 8:57 PM
(1/3) If you ever find yourself down at Ardrossan Castle, be careful who's hand you shake. It's said that former resident and gifted horseman, Sir Fergus De Barclay, made a deal with the Devil there, granting him a magic bridle which allowed control of even the wildest horse - but at a price.
Who doesn't like the Vikings? I'll tell you who: the people of Largs in 1263. 1263 saw a last ditch Norwegian attack on the seaside town, but King Alexander III sent them swimming - a key battle in not only Ayshrie history, but Scotland's too.
November 13, 2024 at 8:29 PM
Who doesn't like the Vikings? I'll tell you who: the people of Largs in 1263. 1263 saw a last ditch Norwegian attack on the seaside town, but King Alexander III sent them swimming - a key battle in not only Ayshrie history, but Scotland's too.
Ayrshire hasn’t always been Ayrshire. The people living in and ruling the area have gone under many names. The earliest named group in the area were the Damnonii, a people only briefly mentioned by Ptolemy at the time of the Roman occupation of Lowland Scotland in the 2nd century.
November 13, 2024 at 8:20 PM
Ayrshire hasn’t always been Ayrshire. The people living in and ruling the area have gone under many names. The earliest named group in the area were the Damnonii, a people only briefly mentioned by Ptolemy at the time of the Roman occupation of Lowland Scotland in the 2nd century.
Hello everyone and welcome to a short history of Ayrshire! I hope this page finds lovers of Ayrshire, history, and relatively weakly researched facts. Enjoy!
November 13, 2024 at 8:16 PM
Hello everyone and welcome to a short history of Ayrshire! I hope this page finds lovers of Ayrshire, history, and relatively weakly researched facts. Enjoy!