History of Ochiltree
The first detailed history of Ochiltree for one hundred years has just been published by Ayrshire historian and author, Dane Love. The History of Ochiltree - Village and Parish is Dane’s fourth parish history, having already covered Auchinleck, Mauchline and Sorn. This new book, which has 360 pages of detailed history, has been in the making for some time, but the recent lockdowns spurred the author on to get it finished.
“I have been dabbling in this book on and off for 20 years’, said Dane,“and folk kept asking me when would it be available. “With lockdown kicking in, and having to work at home and restrict other activities, I decided to take the bull by the horns and complete it.”The parish of Ochiltree covers the area as far as Sinclairston and Hayhill, as well as the large community of Drongan. The book starts with ancient history, detailing the archaeological remains in the district, and works its way through the local castles (there were four in the parish), landowners and lairds. There are full details of the different churches, with accounts of the Covenanters in the area, as well as schools and schoolmasters. Accounts of the former miners’rows at Drongan (or Taiglum as it was once known) are included, as well as details of the lost mining community of Drumsmudden. Ochiltree parish’s mining heritage is detailed, and an appendix lists all known mines in the area. Other industries that Ochiltree was at one time famous for include the manufacture of toddy ladles and curling stones a few rare Burnock Stones surviving.
History New book Accounts of some shops and inns are included, as well as chapters on agriculture, famous sons and leisure pursuits. Other chapters cover roads and transport and local health services. An appendix lists the farms that either exist or existed in the parish, and details of their ownership over the centuries, as far as is known.
The number of people mentioned in the book is considerable, making it an ideal work of reference for those interested in their local family history. Dane has written well over 30 books on Ayrshire and Scottish topics. Born in Cumnock, East Ayrshire, Dane lives outside Auchinleck. The History of Ochiltree is produced in hardback form, and is available from a few local outlets, as well as direct from the publishers at www. carnpublishing.com. Carn Publishing is an Ayrshire-based publishing company which specialises in local history, with a strong focus on Ayrshire subjects. It has been publishing books for 30 years.