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Ayrshire / Re: The BIG HOUSE -- Muirkirk, Ayr
« on: Sunday 26 May 13 18:06 BST (UK) »
For all those who had questions as to what the Bighouse shown on Census for 1851, 1861 and other years. It took me years and a trip to Muirkirk to find the answer.
According to local people, the place known to them and on the census as The Bighouse was the manor house of the Wellwood Estate. The Wellwood House was built in 1740 (unknown builder) and lived in by the Campbell family, The Critchley Family and a Col. J G A Baird, MP, who took over in 1878. It was demolished in 1928. The ruins of the house is still to be found as stone blocks and carved stone pieces, many as big as 3 feet in length.
The Wellwood House ruins are located 2 miles west of Muirkirk and about a half mile off the Muirkirk Road (A70) and about 300 yards south of Wellwood Kennels (sign on the roadway). I have photos of the ruins and some of the other parts of the estate, which you may request by email at (*).
The Wellwood House Estate consisted of The Bighouse (or Wellwood House) the Wellwood Kennels, and three tenant farms (Upper Wellhouse, Mid Wellhouse and Lower Wellhouse. These tenant farms have houses as large as many current middle class homes in the US.
The Wellwood House ruins sit on a hill overlooking the River Ayr at a distance of about 500 yards to the south of the front of what was the house. Photos of the Wellwood House may be found on the web by a search for Wellwood House Muirkirk. I have copies of these photos and will attach with the others on request. Also a short history with reference to a book on the history of Muirkirk.
My best to all who have an interest in this history, especially Marge.
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According to local people, the place known to them and on the census as The Bighouse was the manor house of the Wellwood Estate. The Wellwood House was built in 1740 (unknown builder) and lived in by the Campbell family, The Critchley Family and a Col. J G A Baird, MP, who took over in 1878. It was demolished in 1928. The ruins of the house is still to be found as stone blocks and carved stone pieces, many as big as 3 feet in length.
The Wellwood House ruins are located 2 miles west of Muirkirk and about a half mile off the Muirkirk Road (A70) and about 300 yards south of Wellwood Kennels (sign on the roadway). I have photos of the ruins and some of the other parts of the estate, which you may request by email at (*).
The Wellwood House Estate consisted of The Bighouse (or Wellwood House) the Wellwood Kennels, and three tenant farms (Upper Wellhouse, Mid Wellhouse and Lower Wellhouse. These tenant farms have houses as large as many current middle class homes in the US.
The Wellwood House ruins sit on a hill overlooking the River Ayr at a distance of about 500 yards to the south of the front of what was the house. Photos of the Wellwood House may be found on the web by a search for Wellwood House Muirkirk. I have copies of these photos and will attach with the others on request. Also a short history with reference to a book on the history of Muirkirk.
My best to all who have an interest in this history, especially Marge.
(*) Moderator Comment: e-mail removed in accordance with RootsChat policy,
to avoid spamming and other abuses.
Please use the Personal Message (PM) system for exchanging personal data.
New members must make at least three postings before being allowed to use the PM facility.
See Help-Page: http://www.rootschat.com/help/pms.php
