Loch of Stair
Encyclopedia
The Loch of Stair was a typical Ayrshire post-glacial 'Kettle Hole', situated in a low lying area below the farm of Loch Hill, in the Parish of Stair, East Ayrshire
, Scotland. This freshwater loch was drained in the 19th century, leaving a wetland area which still periodically floods.
, was pursuing a number of agricultural improvements on his extensive estates and other landowners followed his example. Intensive 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. The first OS maps do not show the loch site as having any open water, however the 1926 OS shows a small loch present.
's survey of circa 1604, clearly shows and names the loch and indicates only an outflow to the River Ayr
via the Glenslang Burn. Roy's map of 1747 clearly show a Stair Loch. Armstrong's map of 1775 shows a loch with an inflow and outflow with a dwelling known as Loch Side nearby. Ainslie's map of 1821 shows a 'drop-shaped' loch with Lochside marked. Thomson map of 1832 shows the loch and the dwelling of Loch Hill.
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. This freshwater loch was drained in the 19th century, leaving a wetland area which still periodically floods.
History
The loch is recorded as the 'Loch of Stair' in 1654 and Stair Loch in 1747. A roughly circular water body with a single outflow and no inflow.Drainage
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. Intensive 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. The first OS maps do not show the loch site as having any open water, however the 1926 OS shows a small loch present.
Useage
The loch's outflow was via the Glenslang Burn that powered the old Bridgend Mill at Stair.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 only an outflow to the River Ayr
River Ayr
The River Ayr , longest river in what was the old county of Ayrshire of Scotland, is approximately 65 kilometres in length. It originates at Glenbuck Loch in East Ayrshire on the border of Lanarkshire and winds its way through East and South Ayrshire to the town of Ayr, where it empties into the...
via the Glenslang Burn. Roy's map of 1747 clearly show a Stair Loch. Armstrong's map of 1775 shows a loch with an inflow and outflow with a dwelling known as Loch Side nearby. Ainslie's map of 1821 shows a 'drop-shaped' loch with Lochside marked. Thomson map of 1832 shows the loch and the dwelling of Loch Hill.