• Burns

• Kirkyard

• Trade

Mauchline or in the old spelling of Machlin, or Mauchlin is derived from the Gaelic "Magh" and "Lyn" - the plain with the pool: In former days Loch Brown was about 1 mile west of the town, but was drained when the railway from Kilmarnock was built. The first mention of Mauchline is in reference to a battle fought on Mauchline Moor in 681 when the Picts did battle with the Scots, a further battle being fought in 702. In 1165, Walter, son of Alan, High Steward of Scotland granted a charter to the Cisterian Monks of Melrose of the lands of Mauchline, in those days the parish extended to the boundaries of Lanarkshire at Glebuck. Here the monks were to find a barren, buggy and unfruitful land on which they built an abbey, the ruin of which was known for many years as Hunters Tower, and now better known as Mauchline Castle. Mauchline was created a burgh of Barony by James 4th in 1510 and was granted a further charter in 1610, both these charters however have been lost, and are believed to have perished in a fire at Registrar House, Edinburgh in the 17th century. In 1544 Protestantism was greatly aided in Mauchline by the visit of two influential figures. George Wishart was to find the doors of St Michaels church barred against him. His reaction to this was to retreat to Mauchline Moor and to preach for over three hours to a large congregation, and under the watchful eye of the Sheriff of Ayr and an armed force. In 1599 following his return from exile in France and Switzerland, John Knox preached at Kingencleugh. In deed it was to Robert Campbell of Kingencleugh that Knox entrusted the care of his widow and children on his death. When the Scottish parliament adopted the "Confession of Faith" in 1560 the reformation was immediately accepted in Mauchline. In 1684 the Covenanter James Smith was wounded during a skirmish at "Burn of Ann" in Kyle, taken to Mauchline where he died in prison, and in 1685 five men were dragged out of their homes and executed at the loan. A monument was placed over their grave. This was removed in 1861, and was replaced by a plinth. The original being built in to the wall of the school shed, where it stands to this day. A covenanters flag hangs in the church, which was first used at an engagement between covenanters and royalist troops on Mauchline Moor and was later carried at the battles of Drumlog and Bothwell brig. That Mauchline was a covenanters stronghold can be seen from the fact the minister, the Rev. George Young, signed the covenant in Greyfiars church in Edinburgh in 1633, and subscribed to solemn league and covenant in 1643. In 1647 another battle took place on the moor, between the kings, troops & covenanters with the covenanters claiming victory. After the reformation the lands of Mauchline passed into the hands of the Earls of Loudoun, no further historical events are recorded in the parish.

Burns
We could not possibly speak of Mauchline, without mentioning Robert Burns who came to live on the outskirts of the village at Mossgiel farm in 1784. This was to be Burn's most productive period. The great works flowed from him, The Holy Fair, Holy Wullie's Prayer, The Cotters Saturday Night, The Twa Dugs etc. Most of which was directed towards the hypocrisy of the church, indeed it was Burns satire on the holy fair which it is believed brought to an end such gatherings in Ayrshire. Burn's made many friends, and obviously a lot of enemies whilst in Mauchline, many of whom are buried in the kirkyard, "Holy Wullie" Fisher Daddy Auld, John Richmond, "Clockie" Brown and by no means least Gavin Hamilton, best friend, Patron & fellow freemason. The plaque which marks Hamiltons grave was only placed there in 1919 by the Partick Burn's Club, Gavin Hamilton having stated that he wanted no headstone probably due to the run-ins with the hypocrites of Mauchline Kirk.

Kirkyard
The Kirkyard could be the subject of a talk in it's self, since it contains the remains of not only Burn's contemporaries but those of the last leader of the chartist movement George Julius Harney, who's father Matthew who was a professor of geometry at Edinburgh University. William Smith, founder of the Mauchline Box Works and others who contributed not only to village but to the country in general. For more information on who is buried where click on the page for "The Church".

Trade
The village also has history of trade, being at one time a centre for quarrying Sandstone, Clock making, Box Works, and Curling Stones. In the eighteen century Mauchline was renowned for clock making one of the leading makers being John "Clockie" Brown this seems to have died out in the 1800's. Sandstone quarry dates back also to the 18th century and many old building throughout the West of Scotland were built with Mauchline sandstone. The peak of production and demand was at the turn of the century when over 200 men were employed, and stone was being sent as far away as America. A railway siding was installed and as many as 60 wagons a day were being shipped out. The men even worked throughout the night by artificial light. After 1918 the use of bricks and increased cost caused a decline and eventually in the 1950's the last quarry closed.
The production of box-work or Mauchline ware took place from the 1820's until 1933, by the firm of W&A Smith. These were extremely collectable. The items themselves were largely in 3 particular forms of decoration with 100's of different designs. These ranged from the basic transfer as on small vases, each piece having the view of the place of purchase. These went from Mauchline to the Isle of Wight. Tartan ware was also extremely popular as a result of the smiths inventing a machine for "weaving" tartan designs on paper. Fernware, was introduced in the 1870's. This involved applying actual ferns to the wood which was then stippled in dark brown, the ferns removed and the wood varnished. The wood used was Sycamore. These products were sent all over Europe, as well as U.S.A, Canada, Australia & South Africa. A fire in 1933 stopped production which was never restarted.
The making of curling stones began in the 1800's and for many years experienced full production, however for various reasons, the industry began to decline and went from over 40 men in the 60's is now down to about a dozen. However since Andrew Kay & Co took over and since the curling stone factory is now the only one in the world they are now experiencing an upsurge in trade.