Fail Loch
Encyclopedia
Fail Loch was situated in a low lying area near the old monastery of Fail
in the Parish of Tarbolton
, South Ayrshire
, Scotland. The old Lochlea Loch
lies nearby and its waters still feed into Fail Loch via the Mill Burn.
so that it sat on an island. The surviving portion of the seasonal loch is located to the north of the old monastery site.
Shaw relates in the 1950s that Lochlee, Fail Loch and Tarbolton Loch are no longer so full of water as when they were required to supply water for the meal mills, and gave good skating and curling in a hard winter. They are now to a large extent drained away, but are still the haunt of snipe, goose, duck, and swan.
in mid-19th century, making Millburn Mill, and its head of water, Lochlea, redundant resulting in active attempts at drainage at both Fail and Lochlea causing their effective demise circa 1840. Much of the loch lands of Fail Loch became part of the fields of the surrounding farms and properties, such as Mosside, Lilylaw, Adamhill, and Boghead, however a portion remained prone to seasonal flooding.
The waters of the Townend and Mill Burns still contribute to the flow towards the old Fail Mill that stood on the rivulet, known from this point on, as the Water of Fail and survived into the 20th century. Much of the surrounding lands in the area, originally belonged to the monks from Fail Monastery
. The old Monk's Road forms a boundary on the east side of the old loch.
William Muir was the tenant of the Mill of Fail at the time of Robert Burns.
The OS maps show the presence of a dam and mill pond which would have negated the need for the existence of the loch as a head of water for the mill.
, was pursuing a number of agricultural improvements on his extensive estates and other landowners followed his example, further drainage work may have taken place in the 1740s as part of the improvements undertaken to provide employment for Irish estate workers during the Irish potato famines of the 1740's and the mid 19th centuries. Many drainage schemes also date to the end of WWI when many soldiers returned en masse to civilian life.
's survey of circa 1604, clearly shows and names the loch and indicates that it was somewhat larger than Lochlea Loch. Roy's map of 1747 shows no loch present. Thomson map of 1832 does not record a loch, although Loch Brown
and Lochlea Loch are marked.
The 19th century Ordnance Survey
maps show the site as 'Fail Loch' and state that it is liable to flooding, and the drainage remains inadequate and the area dominated by marsh plants. Paterson records that part of Fail Loch remains in the 1860s.
designated site is also important as a wetland with over 125 plant species recorded.
Tarbolton Curling Club used Loch Fail in the 19th century, showing that it was prone to winter flooding at that time.
Fail Monastery
Fail Monstery, occasionally known as Failford Abbey, had a dedication to 'Saint Mary', and was located at Fail on the bank of the Water of Fail, Parish of Tarbolton near the town of Tarbolton, South Ayrshire...
in the Parish of Tarbolton
Tarbolton
Tarbolton is a village in South Ayrshire, Scotland.- Meaning of place-name :Tarbolton has been suggested as having one of three meanings:...
, South Ayrshire
South Ayrshire
South Ayrshire is one of 32 council areas of Scotland, covering the southern part of Ayrshire. It borders onto East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway....
, Scotland. The old Lochlea Loch
Lochlea, South Ayrshire
Lochlea was situated in a a low lying area between the farms and dwellings of Lochlea and Lochside in the Parish of Tarbolton, South Ayrshire, Scotland. The loch was natural, sitting in a hollow created by glaciation. The loch waters ultimately drained via Fail Loch, the Mill Burn, and the Water of...
lies nearby and its waters still feed into Fail Loch via the Mill Burn.
History
The loch is recorded as 'Valle' in 1307, and 'Feil' in the 17th century. Feill' (1732), 'Faill' or 'Ffele' are further names recorded for the site. Paterson states that the loch once surrounded the Fail MonasteryFail Monastery
Fail Monstery, occasionally known as Failford Abbey, had a dedication to 'Saint Mary', and was located at Fail on the bank of the Water of Fail, Parish of Tarbolton near the town of Tarbolton, South Ayrshire...
so that it sat on an island. The surviving portion of the seasonal loch is located to the north of the old monastery site.
Shaw relates in the 1950s that Lochlee, Fail Loch and Tarbolton Loch are no longer so full of water as when they were required to supply water for the meal mills, and gave good skating and curling in a hard winter. They are now to a large extent drained away, but are still the haunt of snipe, goose, duck, and swan.
Fail Mill
The Duke of Portland abolished thirlageThirlage
Thirlage was the term used for the law in regard of the milling of grain for personal or other uses. Vassals in a feudal barony were thirled to their local mill owned by the feudal superior...
in mid-19th century, making Millburn Mill, and its head of water, Lochlea, redundant resulting in active attempts at drainage at both Fail and Lochlea causing their effective demise circa 1840. Much of the loch lands of Fail Loch became part of the fields of the surrounding farms and properties, such as Mosside, Lilylaw, Adamhill, and Boghead, however a portion remained prone to seasonal flooding.
The waters of the Townend and Mill Burns still contribute to the flow towards the old Fail Mill that stood on the rivulet, known from this point on, as the Water of Fail and survived into the 20th century. Much of the surrounding lands in the area, originally belonged to the monks from Fail Monastery
Fail Monastery
Fail Monstery, occasionally known as Failford Abbey, had a dedication to 'Saint Mary', and was located at Fail on the bank of the Water of Fail, Parish of Tarbolton near the town of Tarbolton, South Ayrshire...
. The old Monk's Road forms a boundary on the east side of the old loch.
William Muir was the tenant of the Mill of Fail at the time of Robert Burns.
The OS maps show the presence of a dam and mill pond which would have negated the need for the existence of the loch as a head of water for the mill.
Drainage
Although the loch's drainage may have begun in the 18th century when Alexander Montgomerie, 10th Earl of EglintonAlexander Montgomerie, 10th Earl of Eglinton
Alexander Montgomerie, 10th Earl of Eglinton , was a Scottish peer.Eglinton was the son of the 9th Earl of Eglinton. His mother and third wife of the 9th Earl was Susanna Montgomery, Countess of Eglinton the renowned society beauty...
, was pursuing a number of agricultural improvements on his extensive estates and other landowners followed his example, further drainage work may have taken place in the 1740s as part of the improvements undertaken to provide employment for Irish estate workers during the Irish potato famines of the 1740's and the mid 19th centuries. Many drainage schemes also date to the end of WWI when many soldiers returned en masse to civilian life.
Cartographic evidence
Blaeu's map of 1654, dating from Timothy PontTimothy Pont
Timothy Pont was a Scottish topographer, the first to produce a detailed map of Scotland. Pont's maps are among the earliest surviving to show a European country in minute detail, from an actual survey.-Life:...
's survey of circa 1604, clearly shows and names the loch and indicates that it was somewhat larger than Lochlea Loch. Roy's map of 1747 shows no loch present. Thomson map of 1832 does not record a loch, although Loch Brown
Loch Brown
Loch Brown, also known in Scots as Loch Broun or Broon, was situated in a kettle hole in the mid-Ayrshire clayland near Crosshands. It is nowadays visible as a surface depression in pastureland, partially flooded, situated in a low lying area close to farms and dwellings of Skeoch, Dalsangan,...
and Lochlea Loch are marked.
The 19th century Ordnance Survey
Ordnance Survey
Ordnance Survey , an executive agency and non-ministerial government department of the Government of the United Kingdom, is the national mapping agency for Great Britain, producing maps of Great Britain , and one of the world's largest producers of maps.The name reflects its creation together with...
maps show the site as 'Fail Loch' and state that it is liable to flooding, and the drainage remains inadequate and the area dominated by marsh plants. Paterson records that part of Fail Loch remains in the 1860s.
Micro-history
Fail Loch is the site of a wildfowl Wetland Bird Survey (WEBS) count. Fail Loch, a Scottish Wildlife TrustScottish Wildlife Trust
The Scottish Wildlife Trust is a registered charity dedicated to conserving the wildlife and natural environment of Scotland.-Description:The Scottish Wildlife Trust has over 32,800 members...
designated site is also important as a wetland with over 125 plant species recorded.
Tarbolton Curling Club used Loch Fail in the 19th century, showing that it was prone to winter flooding at that time.