The History of the Dalry area
The
word Dalry means "King's Valley". The lands of the Barony of
Dalry or Pitcon were given to Robert Boyd for his services to Robert the
Bruce. The area later became part of the lands of the Earls of Glasgow
based at Kelburn. In the 1400's the parish had five main baronies: Kelburne,
Blair, Kersland, Lynn and Pitcon. These names are still reflected in some
of the farms and houses in the area.
Dalry is steeped in a wealth of History, demonstrated by prehistoric cairns,
duns and burial mounds in the vicinity of Dalry, which provide evidence
of early inhabitants in the area. Also the remains of an ancient fort
can also be found at Carwinning Hill to the North of Dalry, west of the
B784 to Largs.
Other historical events include the fact that Alexander III and his army
camped at Camphill near the Reservoir prior to the Battle of Largs. The
Knights Templar also had lands in the area and this is the derivation
of local farm names such as Templand.
Industrial History
In
the 1700's Dalry consisted of around 6 dwelling houses and a population
of around 100. By the 1830's the population had grown to some 1000 with
many involved in the manufacture of cotton and carpet yarn, silk and harness
weaving and sewing and embroidery for the Glasgow and Paisley manufacturers.
Other industries in the Dalry area included the dressing and spinning
of flax.
The industries of limestone, coal and ironstone assisted Dalry to develop
into a thriving mining community. The iron was smelted in the furnaces
of the four great iron companies - the Ayrshire, the Glengarnock, the
Eglinton and the Blair. In 1845 a visitor was 'astonished at the change
and at the numerous tasks of the busy labourers. The blaze of furnaces,
the smoke of coal-pits, the whiter volume emitted by limekilns, and the
building of houses, are at intervals seen all over the district.'
Blair House
Blair
Castle dates
from around 1200 and there is a panel above the doorway dated 1203. Most
of the building dates to the 17th Century. The surrounding park was laid
out by William Blair in 1760 and walkers are welcome to enjoy a number
of the paths through the estate. In 1883 excavations of caves on the estate
at Cleeves Cove found evidence of prehistoric man.
Further information on Blair House and the Estate can be found at www.blairestate.com.
Dalgarven Mill
Dalgarven
Mill is a few miles southwest of Dalry on the road to
Kilwinning and is certainly worth a visit. Its history dates back to the
time of the monks of Kilwinning Abbey. Around 1280 a number of mills were
constructed including a waulk mill on the River Garnock at the site of the
present Dalgarven mill.The Blairs needed a corn mill for their estate and so bought the waulk mill. The mill was used for the grinding of oats and barley into meal. The tenants on the Blair estate were obliged to use the mill and the owners took a percentage of the meal as a commission.
The mill seen today is a 19th century successor to the original which was destroyed by fire in 1869. The mill has been lovingly restored and is open to visitors. Further information on Dalgarven Mill can be found at www.dalgarvenmill.org.uk.
The book Ayrshire and Arran An Illustrated Architectural Guide by Rob Close is worth having if you are investigating the castles and houses in Ayrshire.