Ochiltree

Ochiltree is a village in East Ayrshire,[1] Scotland, near Auchinleck and Cumnock. It is one of the oldest villages in East Ayrshire, with archaeological remains indicating Stone Age and Bronze Age[2] settlers.

For other uses, see Ochiltree (disambiguation).
Ochiltree, The Market Cross

Etymology

The name Ochiltree was spelt Uchletree in the Middle Ages, and has a Brythonic etymology: Uchil tref - the high steading, either a reference to its landscape position (commanding views to south and east), or as a significant local centre.

Notable residents

Covenanter radical John Fergushill (1592-1644) was Church of Scotland minister for Ochiltree between 1614–1639.

Main Street is lined with stone cottages and one of these was The House with the Green Shutters in the 1901 novel of that name by George Douglas Brown, who was born in Ochiltree. An annual event, The Green Shutters Festival of Working Class Writing, is held here in Brown's memory.[3]

The Tennant family, described by Robert Burns, originate from the village. Amongst their number are Charles Tennant, Alexander Tennant and Edward Tennant, 1st Baron Glenconner. Also from the village was a close associate of King James I of Scotland, Michael Ochiltree.

Johnny Cymbal, the famous American-based singer, songwriter and record producer, was born in Ochiltree on 3 February 1945. He is best remembered for his 1963 signature hit "Mr. Bass Man".

Features

Ochiltree's population was 693 in 2001.[1] The village is home to Ochiltree Primary School and is served by one small shop at the bottom of Main Street. Two sporting venues exist: the Community Centre (next to the school); and the Ochiltree Bowling Club by the river. There is also a council house estate.

The ruins of ancient Auchencloigh Castle are located near Belston Loch. To the east of the village is the Barony A Frame, the preserved headgear of the Barony Colliery, which closed in 1989. A small loch, used latterly as a curling pond, known as Loch of the Hill lay close to South Palmerston Farm until it was drained in the late 19th century.

Peden's Cave is located on the banks of the River Lugar near Auchinbay Farm. Alexander Peden was a Covenanter minister of the 1680s who had to hide from the King's soldiers who were attempting to prevent covenanters from practising their version of the Christian faith.

Kemp's Castle is a large and impressive boulder on the top of the River Lugar Gorge near Slatehole Farm that is named from the Scots for a champion or person of great strength.

Lessnessock Farm was a breeder which produced prize-winners in the 1920s.[4]

See also

References
  1. "Ochiltree" (PDF). East Ayrshire Local Plan 2010. East Ayrshire Council. p. 111. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  2. "Ochiltree, Mote: Administrative Areas Archaeology Notes References MyCanmore Images MyCanmore Text Mound, Axe Hammer, Cinerary Urn, Coin, Coin, Spearhead(s) (bronze)". Historic Environment Scotland. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  3. "Reopening the House with the Green Shutters Writers back festival to celebrate author". Glasgow Herald. 30 January 2006. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  4. Ayrshire Digest - Volumes 6-7 - Page 5 1920 Golden Love was Canadian Champion in 1919, and his offspring won all along the line. Bred by Mr. Montgomerie, he is by Bargower Bright Diamond and out of that great dam Lessnessock Gem, the dam of Lessnessock Gem's Good Gift and


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