Dane’s done it again
He brings out book number 32
A prolific Ayrshire writer has just gone national, uncovering some of Scotland’s phantom villages.
Dane Love, a former Irvine Royal Academy teacher, charts ‘ Scotland’s Lost Villages’ and revealed 40 that have disappeared virtually without trace.
Since his first book was published in 1989, the dad- of- two has just taken the total to an amazing 32.
They have chiefly been about Ayrshire, including charting long forgotten ways of life as well as disappeared country villages.
Dane, who lives near Auchinleck, said: “I have always been fascinated by long gone villages.
“This new book details larger communites that no longer exist, having been cleared away for one reason or another.
“Some of the villages were lost to blown sand, such as Forvie in Aberdeenshire, or else were cleared away by improving landlords, such as the original villages of Cullen or Inveraray.
“Some, like Kincardine, just faded away slowly, their original purpose no longer existing, even although Kincardine was a Royal Burgh and county town.”
It was while writing ‘ Ayrshire’s Lost Villages’ three years ago that he got the bug to go national and has travelled extensively around the country looking for clues and material.
That ran for 270 pages and told the stories of 50 villages including Glenbuck, Fardalehill, Loudoukirk and Old Rome.
Many were miners rows built by colliery owners close to the pitheads.
Dane, 54, said: “When the pits closed, the villages were usually abandoned soon after, the miners moving on to find work elsewhere. Many of these miners came and went from Ayrshire communities, too, in the search of work.”
The author has written extensively on Scottish and local history subjects, relates the stories associated with the communities.
He details some of the privations endured, with some colourful accounts of life and death in each community. The book is illustrated with old pictures, as well as some modern ones where random relics may survive, as well as detailed Ordnance Survey maps.
Dane is married to Hazel and they have two children Dane and Gillian.
He also has a passion for ghostly tales, Covenanters and Scottish kirkyards.
Other books have included ‘ A Look Back at Dalmellington’ and a history of Auchinleck parish.
* Scotland’s Lost Villages by Dane Love is published by Carn Publishing at £ 18 and available from all good bookshops or else direct from the publisher.