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Ardrossan / Kirkhall

Ardrossan - NS 233421 - Stev 280

A 'unique composite dial' originally from Kirkhall which was a large house next to a small Kirk on Stanley Road to the North of Ardrossan. The house was demolished in the early 20th century. The dial is credited to the owner Robert Weir and the year 1785.

It is now in the grounds of Ardrossan Town Hall, Castlecraigs, Glasgow St, Ardrossan.

Visited 5 December 1985 - A. R. Somerville

Visited 30 Dec 2005 - Author

A very unusual dial the like of which I have never seen. I almost never did see it as very unusually Somerville led me to the wrong place. His description took me to the war memorial on the promenade but there was no dial to be seen (merely a magnificent church by Jack Coia of Gillespie, Kidd & Coia). Thankfully my father knows the history and built fabric of Ardrossan better than almost anyone and he suggested I follow him. Impressively we went straight to the right place and there it was. It is a strange thing almost covered in lichen thanks to the clear and fresh Ayrshire air.

Unlike earlier dials it is covered in mottoes, words and letters. However, is it still as it was originally designed? I thought it probably was until the dials covering its half buried base were pointed out to me. Now I'm not sure - but can not think of a convincing alternative. Perhaps its excentricity is down to it being a 'one off' design instead of a slowly developed typology such as the lecterns.

Digging it out and carefully cleaning it would be fascinating.

Nothing remains of Kirkhall now since a housing estate was built on the site in 1950s. The streets took a lead from it and were called things like Kirkhall Lane, Laird Weir etc. Even Kirkhall Burial Ground was moved and a small memorial made in its place. The original ground bore this inscription:

'This burial-place was erected by Hugh Weir of Kirkhall.
Dorothia Hunter, his wife, died Sept. 26th, 1787, aged 67 years.
Hugh Weir died Jany. 9th 1800, aged 72 years.
Helen Ferry, wife of Robert Weir, died April 20th 1814, aged 56 years.
Robert Weir died July 31st, 1838, in the 81st year of his age.
Hugh Weir, died 26th April, 1898, aged 83 years.'

At least this tells us a little bit more about Robert Weir.

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	Ardrossan - NS 233421 - Stev 280 A 'unique composite dial' originally from Kirkhall which was a large house next to a small Kirk on Stanley Road to the North of Ardrossan. The house was demolished in the early 20th century. The dial is credited to the owner Robert Weir and the year 1785. It is now in the grounds of Ardrossan Town Hall, Castlecraigs, Glasgow St, Ardrossan. Visited 5 December 1985 - A. R. Somerville Visited 30 Dec 2005 - Author


	A very unusual dial the like of which I have never seen. I almost never did see it as very unusually Somerville led me to the wrong place. His description took me to the war memorial on the promenade but there was no dial to be seen (merely a magnificent church by Jack Coia of Gillespie, Kidd & Coia). Thankfully my father knows the history and built fabric of Ardrossan better than almost anyone and he suggested I follow him. Impressively we went straight to the right place and there it was. It is a strange thing almost covered in lichen thanks to the clear and fresh Ayrshire air. Unlike earlier dials it is covered in mottoes, words and letters. However, is it still as it was originally designed? I thought it probably was until the dials covering its half buried base were pointed out to me. Now I'm not sure - but can not think of a convincing alternative. Perhaps its excentricity is down to it being a 'one off' design instead of a slowly developed typology such as the lecterns. Digging it out and carefully cleaning it would be fascinating.
	Nothing remains of Kirkhall now since a housing estate was built on the site in 1950s. The streets took a lead from it and were called things like Kirkhall Lane, Laird Weir etc. Even Kirkhall Burial Ground was moved and a small memorial made in its place. The original ground bore this inscription: 'This burial-place was erected by Hugh Weir of Kirkhall. Dorothia Hunter, his wife, died Sept. 26th, 1787, aged 67 years. Hugh Weir died Jany. 9th 1800, aged 72 years. Helen Ferry, wife of Robert Weir, died April 20th 1814, aged 56 years. Robert Weir died July 31st, 1838, in the 81st year of his age. Hugh Weir, died 26th April, 1898, aged 83 years.' At least this tells us a little bit more about Robert Weir.