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The History of Ballantrae

The story of Ballantrae and the city around it.

Ballantrae is a community in Carrick, South Ayrshire, Scotland. It is located at the mouth of the River Stinchar.

Timeline

1604
The first kirk in Ballantrae was built as a mausoleum containing a memorial to Gilbert Kennedy, Baron of Bargany and Ardstinchar, in about 1604.
1617
It became a part of the new parish kirk in 1617, replacing St Cuthbert's Kirk on the lands of Kirkholm.
1673
In June 1673, while holding a conventicle at Knockdow near Ballantrae, Alexander Peden was captured by Major William Cockburn, and condemned by the Privy Council to four years and three months' imprisonment on the Bass Rock and a further fifteen months in the Edinburgh Tolbooth.
1696
The Ballantrae Windmill of 1696 on Mill Hill above the raised beach cliffs is one of the oldest industrial buildings in Scotland.
1819
The present church was built in 1819.
1928
This daughter, Elsie Mackay, perished in an attempt to become the first female transatlantic aviator in 1928.

Notable People

Joseph Barnett
Soldier of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
David Dick (1845)
New Zealand farmer
William Hunter (1861)
Scottish surgeon (1861-1937)
Struan Stevenson (1948)
British politician

Photos

A small island off the west coast of Scotland that is now the source of granite
A small island off the west coast of Scotland that is now the source of granite
Ballantrae beach and bay, South Ayrshire. View south-east.
Ballantrae beach and bay, South Ayrshire. View south-east.
A modern map of Carrick within South Ayrshire
A modern map of Carrick within South Ayrshire

Full History

The Kennedy family built Ardstinchar Castle in the 1420s. It survived until the 1770s when it was demolished and stone used to build a bridge over the River Stinchar, as well as houses in Ballantrae, including the Kings Arm's Hotel. The first kirk in Ballantrae was built as a mausoleum containing a memorial to Gilbert Kennedy, Baron of Bargany and Ardstinchar, in about 1604. It became a part of the new parish kirk in 1617, replacing St Cuthbert's Kirk on the lands of Kirkholm. The ruined mausleum surives today as the Kennedy Aisle, part of Ballantrae Old Cemetery. In June 1673, while holding a conventicle at Knockdow near Ballantrae, Alexander Peden was captured by Major William Cockburn, and condemned by the Privy Council to four years and three months' imprisonment on the Bass Rock and a further fifteen months in the Edinburgh Tolbooth. The Ballantrae Windmill of 1696 on Mill Hill above the raised beach cliffs is one of the oldest industrial buildings in Scotland. The present church was built in 1819. and flowering shrubs spell out the name of his daughter on the opposite side of the glen. This daughter, Elsie Mackay, perished in an attempt to become the first female transatlantic aviator in 1928. She is commemorated by a stained glass window in the chancel of the church at Ballantrae. The Glenapp Castle has been converted into a luxury hotel.

Source: Wikipedia