26 August - Irvine New Town walk

Distance 10.5 km

Five Ooters (Johnny, Davie, Ian, Peter and Paul) gathered at Bank Street for what was to be a shortish walk in order to accommodate Jimmy, who had important business to attend to later in the day. That's right Jimmy wasn't there - although his apology had been received in lieu.

We availed ourselves of Johnny's now-legendary hospitality - scones, home-made gooseberry jam and coffee..... and there was to be more later!

There was no hurry to be on our way and we tucked in, in a leisurely manner. The weather forecast had been bad - heavy rain and wind - but although it was wet, it was no worse than we had been used to in recent weeks. So by 10.15, an hour after the first arrivals had knocked on Johnny's door, waterproof gear had been donned and we were on our way.

We headed out towards the Stanecastle roundabout turning left before the by-pass where we rejoined Bank Street - unlike the busy road outside 163 this was now a backwater, no longer a road to anywhere.

We were now heading north towards Eglinton, but first we passed through a modern housing development which didn't meet with the approval of our architectural consultant, Peter. The bricks were all wrong, the flats looked like a prison (they did!) ... and there were no slates anywhere to be seen. Additionally it appeared to have great pretensions with large gates (partially) erected at the entrance to the development. This area, or an area close by, was named by Johnny as "Nigerhill" but apart from a few references to "Nigerhill Cemetery" on Google the name of the area on maps appears to be Knadgerhill. More enquiries need to be made.

We were soon in Eglinton Country Park and Johnny showed us the relatively new cafe, which comes with his recommendation. A large open area had been roofed and it certainly looked very attractive. Peter found an interesting hole in the ground to gaze into containing drainage pipes. Paul enquired about the principles of field drainage and how the surplus water found its way into the pipes and a life-long mystery was solved for him.

The grounds are still very attractive to wander through although some of the formal gardens have fallen into disuse. I'm afraid your scribe cannot wax as lyrical as one visitor in the 1840s

Its princely gates soon presented themselves and we thought we should easily find our way to Irvine through the park. It was a rich treat to wander in these extensive grounds. We soon made way through a handsome avenue to the gardens. The hot-houses for fruits and flowers are on a magnificent scale, and on reaching the parterre we were delighted with the elegance which pervaded it. A glassy river with a silvery cascade came gliding gently through these fairy regions, as though conscious of the luxuriant paradise which it was watering. Nor was the classic taste wanting, nor horticultural skill, to render this a region of enchantment. Two elegant cast-iron bridges, vases, statues, a sun-dial; these pretty combinations from the world of art could not fail to please the beholder. Leaving these luxurious regions we again wandered among thick woods, and occasionally obtained glimpses of the proud castle, peering over the trees. At length we found our way to a seat beneath some noble weepers of the ash tribe, and here we had a fine view of the castle, towering majestically over the dense foliage.

Well it was OK, I suppose.

We examined the new Eglinton Tournament Bridge, a very attractive cast iron construction completed in June of this year.

Glimpses of the remains of the castle were to be had and we saw the site of the jousting field, scene of the disastrous tournament of August 1839. 100,000 people had gathered to watch the jousting, but the torrential rain put paid to it. Aye it was raining then too.

Our tour of the park took us to the suspension bridge over the Lugton Water. It was delightfully shoogly, although the gentleman waiting to cross with his dog appeared a little bemused by the antics of five retired professional gentlemen.

We came out of the park on the edge of Kilwinning, crossing the A737 and entering the Dirrans district of the town. Following the town trail we veered left to follow the trail back to Irvine, walking alongside the River Garnock on whose banks Giant Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed abounded. Time was found to stop and watch the ongoing demolition of an industrial estate. Peter, in particular was alert to the potential for pruch (this is fast becoming your scribe's favourite Scots word).

Past the flood plain of the Garnock and past the coup we went. This part of the walk is on the Glasgow-Sunderland NR7 cycle track and the surface has recently been upgraded.

Our attention was drawn to the apple trees growing close to the track, all well-laden with fruit. Johnny, never known to walk past a free gift, headed off through the undergrowth and returned with more than enough apples for everyone. Sadly, Davie's opinion that his was wersh was reiterated by the rest of us (even by Paul, who could only guess at what Davie meant), and so Johnny was sent back for more. He returned with a very palatable crop.

Attention now turned to pears, and again Johnny went off in search and returned with another handful. They looked fine, but they had the consistency of potatoes and were soon jettisoned.

The origin of these fruit trees was discussed and Johnny recalled that there was a miners' row thereabouts and we surmised that the fruit trees were originally in the miners' gardens.

Later observations from Johnny and Kay indicate that Bartonholm Colliery was in the vicinity. The map below shows that Bartonhom Miners' Row (spelled Burtonholm on the map) was at right angles to the track and on the opposite side of the railway line from where we were. Bartonholm Plantation, however, is shown and this is probably the source of the fruit trees rather than the gardens of the miners' rows.


OS Map c1860

We passed by the former Ravenspark Asylum - that's the hospital, not the school, with just the facade remaining and modern housing behind it. There were plans to integrate this facade into the new buildings but it doesn't seem to be happening.

Ian, a former inmate, of the school not the hospital, told us of the great views to be had from the upper floor where he taught. The lack of a view today, on account of the rain, was commented upon. The old Cadgers Racecourse was spotted and Johnny informed us that it was not in as good a condition as when he cared for it during his student days.

We lingered a while on the footbridge linking the old IRA building with the moor and the school's old annexe. The gardens in the sheltered accomodation below the bridge were much admired and there were further reminiscence of life in the old IRA.

And with that we were back in the town centre and in no time we had reached the shelter of Bank Street.

A fine lunch of ham and lentil soup and warm home-baked bread was served up by Johnny and it went down a treat! Johnny had come up trumps on the drinks front too, having managed to buy around 3 dozen cans and two enormous bags of crisps, and the kitty still made a profit.

It was another enjoyable day with the poor weather passing largely unnoticed. It might be a New Town, but Irvine certainly has plenty of history.

And thanks Johnny. The purvey was great.