Halket Loch
Encyclopedia
Halket Loch also known as Halkhead or Halketh, was situated in the mid-Ayrshire clayland near Lugton
. It is visible as a surface depression in pastureland, sometimes partially flooded, situated in a low lying area close to farms and dwellings of East, North and Middle Halket and Craighead in the Parish of Dunlop
, East Ayrshire
, Scotland. The loch was natural, sitting in a hollow created by glaciation. The loch waters drained via the Glazert Water that joins the Annick Water.
, dated 24 May, 1634.In 1648 the loch was held by John Porterfield of Hapland, as heir to his father Gabriel. The loch was later inherited by his brother Alexander on the 5th October 1653. The lands and Loch of Halket later lay within the Barony of Robertland
as recorded by a charter under the Great Seal of 8th July, 1676. Blaeu's map of 1654, based on Timothy Pont
's work of the late 16th century, shows a 'Halkhead Loch', with a single property, Halkhead, nearby.
Halket was a post-glacial loch and lies beneath the prominent hill known as Craighead Law. Thomson's map of 1832 refers to the loch as 'Hawkhead'. Lochridgehills Farm, with its descriptive and indicative placename, lies near to shoreline at the site of the old Halket Loch.
and this was one of the reasons for the demise of the loch. The loch was substantially drained in 1815 or 1830 The Glazert Water and the loch are marked on Thomson's map of 1828, however the outflow had been canalised by the time of the first Ordnance Survey of the mid 19th century, presumably as part of the loch drainage works. Paterson records that the cost of the loch drainage was shared between the surrounding proprietors and the creation of an excellent meadow was the outcome. Further drainage work may have taken place as part of the improvements undertaken to provide employment for Irish estate workers during the Irish potato famines of the the mid 19th centuries. Many drainage schemes also date to the end of WWI when many soldiers returned en masse to civilian life.
, a justice or court hill controlled in feudal times by the local baron. Stones on its summit appear to be deliberately positioned and a grass covered cairn is very noticeable. A farmer from East Halket removed one of these to facilitate his ploughing. One stone on the summit has a vertical hole drilled to the depth of four feet or so, presumably to be used for ‘slot’ for a flagpole for flying a standard, a similar arrangement to that which existed at the Borestone at Greenhills
near Beith
. Near Aiket Castle
is another Court Hill. Smith sees the law as a moot hill and as also a fort.
at Stewarton in April 1586 the loch is mentioned in one vesion of the events - Their horsemen rode by the waters of Corsehill and Lugton and Glazert: they skirted the Halket Loch and the base of the rocky knolls of Dunlop. This indicates that the loch was of some significant size in the 1580s.
On the lands of East Halket stood a highland grit standing stone, standing 4ft 6in high, removed circa 1905.
This surname Halket was derived from the lands of Halkhead, Renfrewshire, although a family bearing the name de Ross have long been in record as possessors of the property. The place name may have originally been Hawkwood. Sir Henry Hakette witnessed a charter in 1230, and appears to be the first of the name on record. Halkit, Halkhet, Halkette, Haket, Hacet, Hacat, Hakkett, Holkat, Halkhead, Halkhaide, Halkheid, and Halkheide are all variations of the name Halkhead.
In 1896 a new road, the Halket Road, 7 furlongs long, was built between the Duniflat and the Bradlie Roads.
Lugton
Lugton is a small village or hamlet in East Ayrshire, Scotland with a population of 80 people. The A736 road runs through on its way from Glasgow, to the north, to Irvine in North Ayrshire. Uplawmoor is the first settlement on this 'Lochlibo Road' to the north and Burnhouse is to the south...
. It is visible as a surface depression in pastureland, sometimes partially flooded, situated in a low lying area close to farms and dwellings of East, North and Middle Halket and Craighead in the Parish of Dunlop
Dunlop
Dunlop may refer to:In companies:*name derived from John Boyd Dunlop ** Dunlop Tyres, tyre manufacturer since 1985** Dunlop Rubber, manufacturer of tyre and rubber products from 1889 to 1985...
, East Ayrshire
East Ayrshire
East Ayrshire is one of 32 council areas of Scotland. It borders on to North Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire, South Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway...
, Scotland. The loch was natural, sitting in a hollow created by glaciation. The loch waters drained via the Glazert Water that joins the Annick Water.
History
Gabriel Porterfield and his wife Jean Maxwell had a conjunct liferent of 'Halketh' and its loch on a charter of Robert Montgomerie of HessilheadHessilhead
Hessilhead is in Beith, North Ayrshire, Scotland. Hessilhead used to be called Hazlehead or Hasslehead. The lands were part of the Lordship of Giffen, and the Barony of Hessilhead, within the Baillerie of Cunninghame and the Parish of Beith...
, dated 24 May, 1634.In 1648 the loch was held by John Porterfield of Hapland, as heir to his father Gabriel. The loch was later inherited by his brother Alexander on the 5th October 1653. The lands and Loch of Halket later lay within the Barony of Robertland
Castle and Barony of Robertland
The Castle and Barony of Robertland is located near Stewarton, off the B769 road, in the old district of Cunninghame, Parish of Stewarton, and now part of East Ayrshire, Scotland.-Robertland castle and barony:...
as recorded by a charter under the Great Seal of 8th July, 1676. Blaeu's map of 1654, based on Timothy Pont
Timothy 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 work of the late 16th century, shows a 'Halkhead Loch', with a single property, Halkhead, nearby.
Halket was a post-glacial loch and lies beneath the prominent hill known as Craighead Law. Thomson's map of 1832 refers to the loch as 'Hawkhead'. Lochridgehills Farm, with its descriptive and indicative placename, lies near to shoreline at the site of the old Halket Loch.
Drainage
Crops in the area were greatly prone to mildewMildew
Mildew refers to certain kinds of molds or fungi.In Old English, it meant honeydew , and later came to mean mildew in the modern sense of mold or fungus....
and this was one of the reasons for the demise of the loch. The loch was substantially drained in 1815 or 1830 The Glazert Water and the loch are marked on Thomson's map of 1828, however the outflow had been canalised by the time of the first Ordnance Survey of the mid 19th century, presumably as part of the loch drainage works. Paterson records that the cost of the loch drainage was shared between the surrounding proprietors and the creation of an excellent meadow was the outcome. Further drainage work may have taken place as part of the improvements undertaken to provide employment for Irish estate workers during the Irish potato famines of the the mid 19th centuries. Many drainage schemes also date to the end of WWI when many soldiers returned en masse to civilian life.
Craighead Law
Craighead Lea or Law hill, 687 ft (209.4 m) high, is said to be a Moot hillMoot hill
A moot hill or mons placiti is a hill or mound historically used as an assembly or meeting place. In early medieval Britain, such hills were used for "moots", meetings of local people to settle local business. Among other things, proclamations might be read; decisions might be taken; court cases...
, a justice or court hill controlled in feudal times by the local baron. Stones on its summit appear to be deliberately positioned and a grass covered cairn is very noticeable. A farmer from East Halket removed one of these to facilitate his ploughing. One stone on the summit has a vertical hole drilled to the depth of four feet or so, presumably to be used for ‘slot’ for a flagpole for flying a standard, a similar arrangement to that which existed at the Borestone at Greenhills
Barony and Castle of Giffen
The Barony of Giffen and its associated 15th-century castle were in the parish of Beith in the former District of Cunninghame, now North Ayrshire. The site may be spelled Giffen or Giffin and lay within the Lordship of Giffin, which included the Baronies of Giffen, Trearne, Hessilhead, Broadstone,...
near Beith
Beith
Beith is a small town situated in the Garnock Valley in North Ayrshire, Scotland approximately 20-miles south-west of Glasgow. The town is situated on the crest of a hill and was known originally as the "Hill o' Beith" after its Court Hill.-History:-Name:Beith's name is thought to emanate from...
. Near Aiket Castle
Barony of Aiket
The Barony of Aiket with its castle, lay within the old feudal bailiary of Cunninghame. The barony lands equate to the extant Parish of Dunlop, East Ayrshire, Scotland.-Aiket castle:...
is another Court Hill. Smith sees the law as a moot hill and as also a fort.
Micro-history
Upon the murder of the 4th Earl of EglintonLands of Lainshaw
The Lands of Lainshaw lie in Strathannick and were part of the Lordship of Stewarton. Lainshaw House is a Grade B listed mansion lying in a prominent position above the Annick Water and its holm in the Parish of Stewarton, Scotland. A much older Lainshaw Castle tower is contained within the several...
at Stewarton in April 1586 the loch is mentioned in one vesion of the events - Their horsemen rode by the waters of Corsehill and Lugton and Glazert: they skirted the Halket Loch and the base of the rocky knolls of Dunlop. This indicates that the loch was of some significant size in the 1580s.
On the lands of East Halket stood a highland grit standing stone, standing 4ft 6in high, removed circa 1905.
This surname Halket was derived from the lands of Halkhead, Renfrewshire, although a family bearing the name de Ross have long been in record as possessors of the property. The place name may have originally been Hawkwood. Sir Henry Hakette witnessed a charter in 1230, and appears to be the first of the name on record. Halkit, Halkhet, Halkette, Haket, Hacet, Hacat, Hakkett, Holkat, Halkhead, Halkhaide, Halkheid, and Halkheide are all variations of the name Halkhead.
In 1896 a new road, the Halket Road, 7 furlongs long, was built between the Duniflat and the Bradlie Roads.