The Lands of Lochridge

The Lochridge estate was in the old feudal Baillerie of Cunninghame, near Stewarton in what is now East Ayrshire, Scotland.

The history of Lochridge

Nether Lochridge or Lochrig as it was originally known, belonged to the Arnots for nearly 400 years. Mathew Arnot Stewart, the last direct representative of the family, sold the estate to David Provan, a surgeon, in 1830Dobie, James D. (ed Dobie, J.S.) (1876). "Cunninghame, Topographized by Timothy Pont" 1604–1608, with continuations and illustrative notices. Pub. John Tweed, Glasgow.] . Robertson (1820) shows an Upper Lochridge as well as Lochridge. This property seems to be at the site of what is now called Draffen House. Colonel Barns owned Upper Lochrig, part of Auchenharvie and Kirkland in 1820. A Hugh Wyllie who died on 22nd December 1823, aged 51, is recorded on his tombstone in the Laigh Kirk churchyard in Stewarton as having lived at Over Lochridge.

Ward Head next to Lochridge was farmed by Alexander Cameron and his spouse Janet Ingrwm (sic) in the early 18th. century. Alexander died on the 5th April 1761 and Janet passed away on the 20th May 1736, aged 50. They were both buried at the Laigh Kirk in Stewarton. Mr. J. Proven of Lochridge attended the famous 1839 Eglinton Tournament in what is now Eglinton Country Park and he was alloted a seat in the Grand Stand.Aikman, J & Gordon, W. (1839) An Account of the Tournament at Eglinton. Pub. Hugh Paton, Carver & Gilder. Edinburgh. M.DCCC.XXXIX.]

It is stated locally that a Lochridge Halt existed on the railway at one time, but no evidence has yet been found to support this.

Lochridge gallery

The Micro history of Lochridge

In 1820 only six people were qualified to vote as freeholders in Stewarton Parish, being proprietors of Lochridge (Stewart), Robertland (Hunter Blair), Kirkhill (Col.J.S.Barns), Kennox (McAlester), Lainshaw (Cunninghame), and Corsehill (Montgomery Cunninghame). Dunlop had only two people qualified to vote by right as freeholders.

The Draffen Stone used to be located in a field near the house of the same name. Due to a housing development it has been moved to a site in front of Draffen House. It is not known whether this stone is merely a 'rubbing stone' for cattle or a menhir. It is not recorded by Historic Scotland.

The Stewarton Cricket Club had its grounds located between Lochridge and Ward Park.

The road from Stewarton to Kilmaurs did not run via Lochridge until the 18th century when the Toll Road was built. The old driveway from Lochridge to Stewarton came out near Peter's Brae planting; the original entrance is still present today (2008). The course of the drive was altered when the railway was built in the 1840s.

References

See also

* Barony of Peacockbank
* Chapeltoun
* Lambroughton
* Corsehill

* [http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/A_Researcher's_Guide_to_Local_History_Terminology A Researcher's Guide to Local History terminology]

External links

* [http://geo.nls.uk/roy/] General Roy's Military map of Scotland.
* [http://www.futuremuseum.co.uk] Details of the De Soulis, De Morville and other Cunninghame families.