Ayr Fort
On Wednesday I flew west to Prestwick and then caught a bus to Ayr and visited Ayr Fort.
The Fort was built to instruction of Oliver Cromwell, in 1654, during the years when the monarchy was abolished.
About 1850, a rich eccentric, Baron John Miller added the upper turret to the corner of the Fort, with large window apertures. The turret is known locally as Miller's Folly.
Nowadays the Fort is overshadowed by modern apartments.
The seaward view from the Fort, with a replica Cannon.
After the restoration of the monarchy, the government retained the Fort and constructed the Churchill Barracks within part of the site in 1794. They were successively home to the 21st (Royal North British) Fusiliers, the Royal Scots Fusiliers and the Royal Highland Fusiliers before finally closing in 1965. The gateposts remain today although reduced in height but the plaque which explains this does not say whether they were cut down or whether the level of the surrounding ground has been raised.
Later in the day, rain, thunder and lightning closed in over much of the high ground in the southern uplands and to avoid this I flew home by a more westerly course than normal, which brought me over Dumfries. Ferintosh Guest House is down there, can you spot it?
Last edited by cessna152towser; 11th July 08 at 12:36 PM.
Regional Director for Scotland for Clan Cunningham International, and a Scottish Armiger.
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