OS1/3/17/23

List of names as written Various modes of spelling Authorities for spelling Situation Description remarks
GADGIRTH (on site of Gadgirth Castle) Gadgirth
Gadgirth
Gadgirth
John Joseph Burnett Esqr proprietor
Revd. [Reverend] Alexander Duncan
Mr John Smith
034 A neat Substantial plain building three storeys high and attic in very good repair built on the Site of a very old mansion in 1808. the park is small but neat with three avenues leading to the House, the Out offices are all well laid out partly one and two storeys high slated and in good repair and about 200 yards east of the mansion the Garden is Small but tasefully laid out - Situated on the South bank of the Water of Ayr and on both sides of the Turnpike Road from Little Mill to Tarbolton the property and residence of John Joseph Burnett Esqr.
OLD HALL (Site of) [Gadgirth] Old Hall
Old Hall
Old Hall
John Joseph Burnett Esqr.
Revd. [Reverend] Alexander Duncan
Mr John Smith
034 This is the site of an old Castle now called the 'Old Ha'. the only existence by which it can be traced on the ground is a small portion of the west wall about 16 feet long solidly built of lime and Stone. the remaining portion is merely a Surmise Mr, Burnett states that it had a draw Bridge on the land side for protection and that from its natural situation must have been a place of great Strength before the use of Powder was known. built as it was on a solid Whinstone Rock projecting into the Water of Ayr, situated adjacent to and west of Gadgirth Mansion on the property of John Joseph Burnett Esqr. - Mr Burnett can not tell when it was built or by whom when or by whom demolished only that it is believed to be an old Castle.

Continued entries/extra info

[Page] 23
Parish Coylton -- Sheet 34 Plan 5

"The modern mansion of Gadgirth was built by Col. [Colonel] Burnett in the year 1808, upon the
same site on which the old castle stood. Wishing to keep it up, he commenced adding to
it; but the walls, although upwards of six feet thick, were found to be so rotten that he
was obliged to pull the whole down, and substituted the present house. The Castle
was that in which John Knox dispensed the sacrament, & Queen Mary spent a night."
Patterson's History of Ayrshire.

"The older castle, of which some remains now exist, commonly called 'The
old Ha', is situated about a quarter of a mile lower down the river,
(than Gadgirth House) built upon a Whinstone rock, jutting out upon
the river, which surrounded it on two sides; the fosse, over which was a
drawbridge, surrounded it on the other two sides, which rendered it a
place of great strength in those days" Patterson's History of Ayrshire

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Nellie- Moderator, Nora Edwards, DANIALSAN

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