Greenan Castle

Greenan Castle was built in the 15th century on the site of an ancient iron age fort.
Some research indicated that the original fort may well have been an Arthurian stronghold and one of the possible sites of Camelot.

Arthur did get around, didn't he!!

Just for Chris, here is another view of Arran, this time from the beach at Greenan Castle.

Amazing Arran Again

I had intended to post a photo from Glasgow since I was visiting there (by bus) today. However, when I got back to Ayr and went down to the shore to collect my car, this vista met my eyes. To good to miss!

And just to go one better [I know you shouldn't start a sentence with and!] here's a photo from the same spot looking south-west.

Amazing Arran

The changing views of the Isle of Arran from the Ayrshire coast never cease to amaze me. The light effect in this photo, taken from beside Prestwick Airport, had to be seen to be believed.

Lady Cathcart's House, Ayr

Lady Cathcart's House was built in the 1700s and stands at the corner of Sandgate and, surprise surprise, Cathcart Street in Ayr.

Minishant Tandoori

The former Lady Coates Memorial Church, a fine red sandstone building, built in 1877 by Sir Peter Coates, of the nearby Auchendrane Estate, in memory of his late wife Glorianna. It retains many of the original architectural features including a remarkable stained glass rose window.

This has in turn been a private dwelling, a 'British' restaurant and is now a Tandoori restaurant.

At least it hasn't been knocked down.

Old Bridge

Monkwood Bridge is no longer used to carry the road from Ayr to Maybole. In fact it is no longer used for anything.

Just walking in the rain ...

.... getting soaking wet. Not totally, but we enjoyed ourselves anyway trudging around Cornish Hill and loch. The colours were absolutely amazing as the above photograph of the ground at my feet shows.

Hanging baskets........

..........who needs them when nature provides trees for free when you allow it!!!!

The building is occupied by the way.

Racing

A picture of the stands at Ayr Racecourse. [Why 'stands' when folk are actually seated?]

Both flat and jump races are run at Ayr.

Butterfly Bush ..................................... and Butterfly

I took this photo at 14.47 today. I never expected to see a butterfly this late in the season. but there he/she was feeding away.

Auchincruive House

Auchincruive House, now known as Oswald Hall and used as a conference centre, lies just ouside the town of Ayr on the river Ayr.

Culroy

The picture today was taken at Culroy, a small hamlet between Ayr and Maybole. This sign, fixed to the door of what has at one time been a garage has always amused me for its presumption.

Culroy is the centre of the universe, Ayr and Maybole are slightly less important, and as for London......

Another Cloudscape

The cloud effect and the highlighting of Ayr looking over the bay from Doonfoot was just too good to miss - and we didn't even get wet.

Prestwick Old Parish Church

Also known as Old St Nicholas' Church, probably dates from 12th Century with 18th Century modifications. It had four alters dedicated to St. Nicholas, St. Andrew, the Holy Cross and the Virgin.

The churchyard has graves of a Covenanter & Knights Templar.

Wet Feet

This was after just a little rain. It's not a good idea to cross the River Ayr here after heavy rain.

Any gueses

This 'monolith' appeared beside the beach in Ayr. There is no indication as to a purpose or even who erected it.

Any guesses what it might be?

Bruce's Well

Today's picture is from Maryborough Road in Prestwick.



Bruce's Well has certainly been here since the 13th Century, but was probably in existence long before that.

King Robert 1st. of Scotland (Robert the Bruce) endowed a Lazar House in this area after he had benefitted from the water.

I'm currently constructing a second blog, mirroring this one, which I might switch over to. Please have a look at it and comment on which you find better.

Ecclesiastical ....

You get 3 for the price of 1 today.







This pillar is to be found in Belleisle Estate Walled Garden.

It was found being used as a banking support in the Slaphouse Burn when it was being cleared several years ago. Where it originally came from, nobody knows.

Sad

Those of you who know me are aware that I'm a bit of a railways anorak. It's not really about the rolling-stock, although I'm more than happy to spend time looking at steam locomotives and the like, but more about the disused routes laid by our ancestors.

This photograph is of part of the now vanished line between Monkton and Annbank which used to run across what is now Prestwick Airport runways.



I've titled it sad, because this particular bridge has no function whatsoever now. The road it once supported has been re-aligned and the cutting beyond filled in.

Going.......

Just took this photo from the bedroom window. Doesn't fully do justice to what we saw, but gives a good idea.