MIDDLEPART'S HISTORY

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Dating back over 200 years, Middlepart is shown on a map of 1775. It appears to have been reconstructed in the early 1800s and has been carefully maintained without destroying its character.

For some interesting information on Middlepart's environment and local history, have a look at: ayrshireroots.

Once connected to the Grange estate and Kerelaw Castle, Middlepart has seen many changes. A poem by Bob Auld helps to capture some of the feeling of this place:



A Middlepart Scene

By Bob Auld

Twas on a rare November's day
The sun shone bright across the bay
November's sun being seldom seen
The wee bit blink had made me keen
So I set out, to take a stroll
Well wrapt up, for November's droll
Up Sannox Drive behind Springvale
Stepping along, wind in my tail
Round the bend, and up the road
Bravely stepping, out I strode
The linties sang a cheery song
As up the hedge they hopped along
Keeping just that bit apart
Till the dog and I reached Middlepart
The sun still shining on my back
I turned around to view my track
What I saw was very pleasing
Though my hands were almost freezing
I stopped across to a half hung gate
And there began to ruminate.

The bay was bright, with a steely sun
The waves they sparkled as if in fun
I gazed around with respectful awe
And what a glorious sight I saw
The Sleeping Warrior clad in white
You'll never see a bonnier sight
The grandest view in all the Clyde
It swelled my heart with honest pride
From Goatfell's tall, and mighty height
Southward down to Pladda's light
Then northwards up across the Combs
To Lochranza's bright and happy homes
Virgin snow was on every ledge
It even touched the waters edge
My heart it really was ensnared
The dog and I just stood and stared
Paddy's Milestone I almost missed
Half hidden in the winter's mist
You couldn't blame " Not at all"
This picture made me feel so small
Just you think of this creation
While I get on with my rumination.

Come with me to Carrick's shore
Its folklore tales was Rabbie's store
It always was an inspiring land
To Scotland's famous rhyming man
He knew its every twist and turn
Its every tree and drumlie burn
As well as every farmers fair
Round about the town of Ayr
There's treasures too for you to find
Golden treasures of the mind
Scotland would get a needed lift
If one recaptured again, his gift
But till that day comes along
Keep alive his poems and songs
January's snows may blow and drift
But ne'er forget the twenty-fifth
You're wrong to be so condescending
Rabbie was really worth befriending
He left the world a heritage
For yours and every other age
While you ponder this situation
I'll toddle on with my rumination.

Follow the crescent round the bay
There Irvine's ancient burgh lay
For almost at my very feet
Where Garnock and Irvine rivers meet
I saw three spires rear their head
In a pleasant valley the burgh spread
This peaceful scene it did belie
Troubled feudal times gone by
For many a brave and honest man
Died in allegiance for his clan
Montgomery and Cuninghame enemies sworn
Were usually fighting night and morn
But those who usually bore the gree
Were farther down the family tree
There's always someone ready to chide
And keep alive your family pride
But don't you think there is a Emit
Just stop a wee, and think a minute
You're just a part of a bonnie Clyde
In which we all have the greatest pride
You could meet a far worse fate
Trying to stop me ruminate.

Past Eglinton castles burn't out power
To Kilwinning's old respected tower
Within those ancient Abbey walls
Many a man received his call
They grew such crops as rye and wheat
To bake the bread they had to eat
They taught the people all around
The proper way to till the ground
Other crafts to us they brought
The way of God was also taught
They never lived a life of ease
So Kilwinning folk are hard to please
At least, that's what I'm told
Its handed down from days of old
But gentle folk just sow your seed
That's never going to " cull you deid"
There's many a man would like to bide
Along with you, and your honest pride
Now would you like to meditate
And give me peace to ruminate.

There auld Kerelaw castle stood
Nesting cosily among the woods
Looking just the part it played
Here early history was doubtless made
To me it was a place of joy
Adventure land when I was a boy
Cunninghame's fort in days of old
Joy and sorrow it did unfold
If those historic stones could tell
Some of the deeds that there befell
But Eglinton men the castle fired
And now the ruins are just admired
But listen quietly, and take regard
Distant echoes still are heard
Echoes not of war, but peace
Fervently pray, they never cease
All around this fragrant glade
Bounteous beauty by nature made
Very little art, you need employ
Its yours and mine to enjoy
Just show a sign of your elation
And I'll carry on with my rumination.

But now all else is swept aside
Auld Stinston's spire I view with pride
For there beneath its lofty steeple
I found and lived with God's own people
Learning what was right and wrong
Among a pleasant and happy throng
Also what was good and true
But how can I tell this to you.
I close my eyes, for my heart to listen
Beneath my lids, I feel them glisten
My heart begins to dance and play
I hear a voice within me say
Blessed are all who have been born
Among these people with hearts of corn
They're always ready to laugh and joke
You can't mistake real Stinston folk
My roots are deep in her sacred earth
I'm honoured by my place of birth
Thought and reason are cast aside
To justify this humble pride
But justification is only a state
To I'll carry on and ruminate.

Wait for me to make up my mind
What else is in this view to find
White horses rushing o'er the seas
Seen through Seabank thinning trees
A glance to the side, and there's Saltcoats
Famous for sailors, and sailing boats
Like Betsy Miller of Clytus fame
There's many others we could name
But those days of glory now are gone
The once busy harbour, is now forlorn
Cunninghame's effort was all in vain
You've lost for ever all his gains
There's opportunity yet, for those who dare
You men with foresight, do you care
The work in Saltcoats is not enough
To keep your granny supplied with snuff
Youthful vigour must show the way
You older men have feet of clay
'Tis sadly said by every lounger
Oh were I only twenty years younger
The sorting out of your present state
Gives me more time to ruminate.

Yon Cannon Hill, stands out alone
Round whose slopes Ardrossan's grown
But it must have been a sorry day
When Cromwell took the ramparts away
The castle hill left desolate and bare
Its historic stones were taken to Ayr
Though adverse times, they had to meet
Auld Winton folk were never beat
They always had the common sense
To honour right, and it consequence
The hill they graced with men, whose
Honoured their times in word and deed
Though gratitude was seldom spoken
That tall obelisk is a thoughtful token
Now when 'ere men take time to deem
Your honest worth commands esteem
There you have a sound foundation
From less, I'm sure they've built a nation
Do not sully your burnished name
But that I'm sure is not your aim
As for me I hereby state
This is the last I'll ruminate.

The closing day to me a surprise
My dog looked up with appealing eyes
The sun had gone behind a cloud
Leaving the air as cold as a shroud
The senseless sheep began to edge
Along the field behind the hedge
Roostless crows towards the trees
And homing gulls flew to the seas
My tired frame began to aspire
A cosy chair in front of the fire
My slippers on, a cup of tea
A well filled pipe, would satisfy me
There I could sit in rumination
There's a wee green pub beside the station
A few good friends with words of cheer
Their hearty laughter, a pint of beer
There's common sense in the canine breed
My dog began to whine and plead
My weary steps they homeward flew
My latest dreams they might come true.