The History of Ochiltree's Castles, Old Kirk & Graveyard, East Ayrshire

The Old Kirk was abandoned in 1789 when the new church was built. It stood close to the old castle and Ochiltree House where John Knox's second wife was brought up. The first castle, held by the Colvilles, was destroyed in a dispute with the Auchinlecks. Lizzie McGuire had worked for John Tennant of Laigh Corton Farm and when she became wealthy via an inheritance and marrying the 13th Earl became the Countess of Glencairn. She made John her Factor for the Barony of Ochiltree. William Simson was the 'Winsome Willie' of Burns's epistle and has a memorial in the graveyard.

[@robertgibson7716]

love your local Ayrshire history Roger thanks

[@rogergriffith286]

Thanks Robert - much appreciated.

[@nadiamurchie1949]

your voice is so cathartic, enjoying relaxing to your history videos :)

[@rogergriffith286]

Many thanks.

[@veed2539]

I stay here, and this was great to learn more history about the village, Cheers Roger : )

[@rogergriffith286]

Thanks.

[@OutandAbout1]

Thank Roger enjoyed that 👍👍

[@rogergriffith286]

That;s kind of you

[@NonNobis-Domine]

Thanks again Mr Griffith for this educational video.

[@rogergriffith286]

Thank-you

[@jshicke]

Love these stories, Roger. Interesting history.

[@rogergriffith286]

Many thanks

[@JamesBrown-mt5ru]

Excellent film Roger and so informative in a welcome, matter-of-fact way. How may I get a still image at 2:57 of the tree swallowing the tombstone? This would be an ideal illustration for a book I'm planning on a listing of 'Mac' names in Carrick and surrounds. I'm sponsored by the Royal Celtic Society for this research.

[@rogergriffith286]

Hello James, Thanks for the kind words. You will find the photo on Wikimedia - commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Ochiltree_old_Kirk_and_graveyard Let me know when your book is published, sounds right up my street.

[@JamesBrown-mt5ru]

@@rogergriffith286 Thanks Roger, I'll keep you posted.

[@carolcunningham7646]

I heard Harvey of conning ham Scotland was approached in 1180 to take a surname. It appeared on my tile as a very strange way of spelling my name

[@rogergriffith286]

Names were not standardised until around the 18th century. Many spellings of your surname exist - often they are often different between different branches of the same clan. It is a problem genealogists have to wrestle with

[@govang5191]

I must say yup am a pest , But , Your podcasts and information and details And how you do your bit is better than BBC and most of the rest 👏👏👏

[@rogergriffith286]

Thanks. It's just a bit of fun to keep the brain working :-)