Lochlea, South Ayrshire
Encyclopedia
Lochlea was situated in a a low lying area between the farms and dwellings of Lochlea and Lochside in the Parish of Tarbolton
, South Ayrshire
, Scotland. The loch was natural, sitting in a hollow created by glaciation. The loch waters ultimately drained via Fail Loch
, the Mill Burn, and the Water of Fail. It is well documented due to the presence of a crannog
, excavated and documented circa 1878, and its association with the poet Robert Burns
who lived here for several years whilst his father was the tenant. Lochlea lies two and a half miles north east of Tarbolton, and just over 3 miles northwest of Mauchline.
The Duke of Portland abolished thirlage in mid-19th century, making Millburn Mill, and its head of water, Lochlea, redundant, resulting in active attempts at drainage causing its demise circa 1840. The lands became part of the fields of Lochlea Farm. Adamson records that the loch was drained in 1839, during which two canoes were near the crannog. The waters still contributed to the flow to Fail Mill that stood on the rivulet of the Water of Fail and survived into the 20th century. Much of the surrounding lands in the area and those Lochlea originally belonged to the monks from Fail Monastery
. The natural drainage, the Mill Burn, was from the south-east corner, running into a narrow valley that ran eventually into Fail Loch
.
William Muir was the tenant of the Mill of Fail at the time of Robert Burns.
Blaeu's map of 1654 clearly shows the loch and indicates that it was somewhat smaller, less than half the size, of Fail Loch. Roy's map of 1747 shows the loch and indicates a 'Lochleehill'. Thomson records a 'Lochbar'.
The early Ordnance Survey maps show the site as fully drained, however drainage is now inadequate and the area is becoming re-established as a seasonal loch.
Shaw relates in the 1950s that "Lochlee, Fail Loch and Tarbolton Loch are no longer so full of water as when they were required to supply water for the meal mills, and gave good skating and curling in a hard winter. They are now to a large extent drained away, but are still the haunt of snipe, goose, duck, and swan."
, was pursuing a number of agricultural improvements on his extensive estates and other landowners followed his example, drainage work may have taken place in the 1740s as part of the improvements undertaken to provide employment for Irish estate workers during the Irish potato famines of the 1740's and the mid 19th centuries. Many drainage schemes also date to the end of WWI when many soldiers returned en masse to civilian life.
The crannog had several separate periods of occupation. Among the finds was a 9th-century ringed pin, and also several finds of 16th or 17th century origin, such as a brass mounted knife and a number of iron implements. It measured overall circa 33 m east-west by 23 m transversely, with its centre at NS 4574 3027.
in 1784, having spent some nine unhappy months away in Irvine
learning flax processing. The farmland was very mossy and William Burnes had problems paying his rather high rent resulting in a successful court case that used up his savings and contributed to his premature death in February 1784. Burns is said to have roofed the barn himself and upon its demolition an engraved lintel from it was incorporated into the new farmhouse that replaced it. In 1879 the poet's home had become a barn.
Lochlea 1 & 2 collieries were situated in the vicinity of the farm and operated from 1949 to 1973. Little visible remains survive.
Lochlea is the site of a wildfowl Wetland Bird Survey (WEBS) count.
Tarbolton
Tarbolton is a village in South Ayrshire, Scotland.- Meaning of place-name :Tarbolton has been suggested as having one of three meanings:...
, South Ayrshire
South Ayrshire
South Ayrshire is one of 32 council areas of Scotland, covering the southern part of Ayrshire. It borders onto East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway....
, Scotland. The loch was natural, sitting in a hollow created by glaciation. The loch waters ultimately drained via Fail Loch
Fail Loch
Fail Loch was situated in a low lying area near the old monastery of Fail in the Parish of Tarbolton, South Ayrshire, Scotland. The old Lochlea Loch lies nearby and its waters still feed into Fail Loch via the Mill Burn.-History:...
, the Mill Burn, and the Water of Fail. It is well documented due to the presence of a crannog
Crannog
A crannog is typically a partially or entirely artificial island, usually built in lakes, rivers and estuarine waters of Scotland and Ireland. Crannogs were used as dwellings over five millennia from the European Neolithic Period, to as late as the 17th/early 18th century although in Scotland,...
, excavated and documented circa 1878, and its association with the poet Robert Burns
Robert Burns
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide...
who lived here for several years whilst his father was the tenant. Lochlea lies two and a half miles north east of Tarbolton, and just over 3 miles northwest of Mauchline.
History
The loch also recorded as 'Lochly', and 'Lochlie' may derive its name from 'Liath', Gaelic for the 'Grey Loch'. It was once much more extensive and changes in the water level are indicated by successive alterations identified within the site's crannog.The Duke of Portland abolished thirlage in mid-19th century, making Millburn Mill, and its head of water, Lochlea, redundant, resulting in active attempts at drainage causing its demise circa 1840. The lands became part of the fields of Lochlea Farm. Adamson records that the loch was drained in 1839, during which two canoes were near the crannog. The waters still contributed to the flow to Fail Mill that stood on the rivulet of the Water of Fail and survived into the 20th century. Much of the surrounding lands in the area and those Lochlea originally belonged to the monks from Fail Monastery
Fail Monastery
Fail Monstery, occasionally known as Failford Abbey, had a dedication to 'Saint Mary', and was located at Fail on the bank of the Water of Fail, Parish of Tarbolton near the town of Tarbolton, South Ayrshire...
. The natural drainage, the Mill Burn, was from the south-east corner, running into a narrow valley that ran eventually into Fail Loch
Fail Loch
Fail Loch was situated in a low lying area near the old monastery of Fail in the Parish of Tarbolton, South Ayrshire, Scotland. The old Lochlea Loch lies nearby and its waters still feed into Fail Loch via the Mill Burn.-History:...
.
William Muir was the tenant of the Mill of Fail at the time of Robert Burns.
Blaeu's map of 1654 clearly shows the loch and indicates that it was somewhat smaller, less than half the size, of Fail Loch. Roy's map of 1747 shows the loch and indicates a 'Lochleehill'. Thomson records a 'Lochbar'.
The early Ordnance Survey maps show the site as fully drained, however drainage is now inadequate and the area is becoming re-established as a seasonal loch.
Shaw relates in the 1950s that "Lochlee, Fail Loch and Tarbolton Loch are no longer so full of water as when they were required to supply water for the meal mills, and gave good skating and curling in a hard winter. They are now to a large extent drained away, but are still the haunt of snipe, goose, duck, and swan."
Drainage
Although the loch's drainage may have begun in the 18th century when Alexander Montgomerie, 10th Earl of EglintonAlexander Montgomerie, 10th Earl of Eglinton
Alexander Montgomerie, 10th Earl of Eglinton , was a Scottish peer.Eglinton was the son of the 9th Earl of Eglinton. His mother and third wife of the 9th Earl was Susanna Montgomery, Countess of Eglinton the renowned society beauty...
, was pursuing a number of agricultural improvements on his extensive estates and other landowners followed his example, drainage work may have taken place in the 1740s as part of the improvements undertaken to provide employment for Irish estate workers during the Irish potato famines of the 1740's and the mid 19th centuries. Many drainage schemes also date to the end of WWI when many soldiers returned en masse to civilian life.
The Crannog
This artificial island was mainly visible in the summer months and lay about 75 yards from the southern bank of the loch. Despite its prominence during Robert Burns's time, he made no recorded reference to it. A wooden walkway ran to it from the south-east side of the loch. At least five dugout canoes were found, some distance from the crannog. The land had become marshy again by 1878 and the re-discovery at this time generated enough interest to spark an excavation; the site and Lochlea Farm were owned by the Duke of Portland and his Mr Turner, his factor, helped to organise the excavations, together with Mr. Cochrane-Patrick of Woodside, Beith. Much of the wood associated with the crannog was that of oak, hazel and birch, together with alder and poplar. Animals present included sheep, roe deer, red deer, reindeer, pig, and horse.The crannog had several separate periods of occupation. Among the finds was a 9th-century ringed pin, and also several finds of 16th or 17th century origin, such as a brass mounted knife and a number of iron implements. It measured overall circa 33 m east-west by 23 m transversely, with its centre at NS 4574 3027.
The Burns connection
Lochlie, or Lochlea, Robert Burns used both versions, became his home in 1777 when his father William Burnes moved here from Mount Oliphant. The 130-acre farm and loch were owned by David McLure, an Ayr merchant. Burns moved to Mossgiel Farm near MauchlineMauchline
Mauchline is a town in East Ayrshire, Scotland. In the 2001 census it had a recorded population of 4105. It lies by the Glasgow and South Western Railway line, 8 miles east-southeast of Kilmarnock and 11 miles northeast of Ayr. It is situated on a gentle slope about 1 mile from the River Ayr,...
in 1784, having spent some nine unhappy months away in Irvine
Robert Burns and the Eglinton Estate
During the years 1781–1782, at the age of 23, Robert Burns lived in Irvine, North Ayrshire for a period of around 9 months, whilst learning the craft of flax-dressing from his mother's half-brother, Alexander Peacock, working at the heckling shop in the Glasgow Vennel...
learning flax processing. The farmland was very mossy and William Burnes had problems paying his rather high rent resulting in a successful court case that used up his savings and contributed to his premature death in February 1784. Burns is said to have roofed the barn himself and upon its demolition an engraved lintel from it was incorporated into the new farmhouse that replaced it. In 1879 the poet's home had become a barn.
Micro-history
James Thom was born near Lochlea and went on to become a famous sculptor of Robert Burns and his contempories.Lochlea 1 & 2 collieries were situated in the vicinity of the farm and operated from 1949 to 1973. Little visible remains survive.
Lochlea is the site of a wildfowl Wetland Bird Survey (WEBS) count.
External Links
- http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/scotlandsculture/robertburns/burnsmap/lochleafarm.asp Lochlea Farm & Robert Burns.
- http://burns.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-000-135-727-C Lochlea Farm in 1878.