The History of the Auchincruive area
Located in the parish
of St Quivox, Ayrshire, Auchincruive is part of the ancient seat of the
Cathcarts. Richard Oswald, a merchant from London and a commissioner in
Paris for peace negotiations with the Americans. bought the estate in
1764. After his death in 1784, his widow (nee Mary Ramsay) remained at
Auchincruive. She died in London in 1788 and was buried beside her husband
at St Quivox. Auchincruive then passed to their son, Richard Alexander
Oswald, a government contractor during the American War.
More recently, Auchincruive is part of an estate gifted to the Secretary
of State by John Hannah of Girvan Mains. It became the home of the Scottish
Agricultural College and the Hannah Research Institute is named in his
honour.
The main building on the estate is Auchincruive House or Oswald Hall.
Some of the interiors were designed by Robert Adam. Adam also designed
Oswald's Temple in 1778, a summerhouse or folly to the North of the estate.
From the view at the top of the Three Green Knights Trail several other
of the estates buildings can be seen including the impressive home farm,
Gibbsyard built around 1780.
The book Ayrshire
and Arran An Illustrated Architectural Guide by Rob Close is a good
companion to take with you on your journey as it comments on significant
buildings old and new in almost every town and village throughout Ayrshire
and Arran.
William Wallace and Auchincruive
In April 1292 Wallace was fishing at Irvine Water when some soldiers demanded his catch. A fight ensued during which Wallace disarmed a soldier with his fishing rod and then used the discarded sword to kill the soldier. Four other soldiers then attacked Wallace who fought back killing one and injuring the other soldiers. Wallace's uncle, Sir Richard Wallace of Riccarton, sent Wallace to the safety of another relative, Wallace of Auchincruive, to hide until the situation had settled down. He concealed William Wallace in Leglen Wood.
This
site proved a useful hiding place for Wallace as he returned here after
several skirmishes with the English. There is a monument to both Wallace and Burns at a spot immediately on the right after crossing Oswald's Bridge heading south.
This is where Robert Burns sought inspiration for his tribute "Scots Wha Hae".
Scots, wha hae wi Wallace bled,
Scots, wham Bruce has aften led,
Welcome to your gory bed,
Or to victorie!
To learn more about William Wallace you may want to read up on his life and adventures. There are several good books available including: William Wallace.
Oswald and Burns
Lucy Oswald composed the air 'Captain Cork's Death', to which Burns's song 'Thou lingering star with lessening ray' was set.
You can read more about this and other Burns ventures in Ayrshire in the book The Ayrshire Book of Burns Lore.