Maybole, Scotland

Maybole is situated 9 miles South of Ayr and 5O miles South West of Glasgow. It is an ancient place, having received a charter from Duncan II. in 1193. In 1516 it was made a burgh of regality, but for generations it remained under the subjection of the Kennedys, afterwards earls of Cassillis and marquesses of Ailsa, the most powerful family in Ayrshire.

Old Maybole was the capital of the district of Carrick, and for long its characteristic feature was the family mansions of the barons of Carrick. Two miles to the south-west are the ruins of Crossraguel (Cross of St Regulus) Abbey, founded about 1240.

Kirkoswald, where Robert Burns spent his seventeenth year, learning land-surveying, lies a little farther west. In the parish churchyard lie " Tarn o' Shanter " (Douglas Graham) and " Souter Johnnie " (John Davidson). Four miles to the west of Maybole on the coast is Culzean Castle, the chief seat of the marquess of Ailsa, dating from 1777; it stands on a basaltic cliff, beneath which are the Coves of Culzean, once the retreat of outlaws and a resort of the fairies. Farther south are the ruins of Turnberry Castle, where Robert Bruce is said to have been born. A few miles to the north of Culzean are the ruins of Dunure Castle, an ancient stronghold of the Kennedys.

Return To Scottish Placename Anecdotes