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DALRY - 1837 Ayrshire Directory |
Dalry Is a small town, in the parish of its name, and
district of Cunningham; 69 miles w by s of Edinburgh, 25 sw of Glasgow,
16¼ ssw of Paisley, 5 sw of Beith, 4 n of Kilwinning and 7 n by e of
Saltcoats; pleasantly situate on a rising ground, surrounded by the
rivers Caaf, Rye and Garnock, which run in different directions so near
the village, as to give it, when the streams are swelled with rain, the
appearance of an island.
The branches of manufacture existing in the town and parish are those
of cotton and carpet yarn with silk and harness weaving, in which many
of both sexes are employed; while a considerable number of females are
occupied in sewing and embroidering, usually demoninated "Ayrshire
needlework" for the Glasgow and Paisley manufacturers. The dressing and
spinning of flax is likewise carried on to some extent, and lime and
coal abound in the neighbourhood.
At the beginning of the last century, Dalry village contained only
about six dwellings, and a population not exceeding 100; at present
there are about 1,000 inhabitants, and the town consists of five
streets, three of which diverge from a centre forming a small square;
many of the houses are well built, and the shops are neat. There are
several public houses for the accommodation of travellers, and two which
belong to the grade of Inns; the one called the "Crown" is the
principal. The town is lighted by gas, by a Company formed in 1834.
There are three public libraries in the parish, viz, the "Dalry
Library", the Dalry Church Library" and the "United Secession Library".
At Loansbrea is a reasonably fine spring of water; and from a situation
near the church is seen, to the west, a beautiful natural cascade, which
has a curious and extraordinary appearance during the continuance of
frost. At Auchenflech, on the estate of Blair, two miles from Dalry, is
a cave, evidently the work of nature, and well deserving the examination
of visitors to the district; it is about 183 feet in length, and from 5
to 12 in height; the roof is encrusted with petrefactions, and over the
entrance projects a vast rock, 30 feet by 27; its exterior resembles
Gothic arched work; near the middle it expands into a spacious chamber,
35 feet long by 12 broad, and 12 feet in height; in former times popular
superstition peopled it with elves - it accordingly received the
appellation of "elf-house"; in later days, under the arbitrary and
treacherous reign of Charles II., it afforded a refuge to the
covenanters of this parish from the violence of their
infuriated persecutors.
In Dalry parish also is "Camp-hill", where the Scottish army is said to
have encamped previous to the battle of Largs, in 1263. Dalry bestows
the title of baron upon the eldest son of the Earl of Glasgow. The
weekly market is held on Thursday, and there are fairs in January, May
and July.
Post Office James Stirrat, Post master - Letters from Beith,
Glasgow &c arrive every morning at a quarter past ten, and are
despatched every afternoon at a quarter before four.
COACHES
To Glasgow the "Fair Trader" (from Saltcoats) calls at the Crown Inn
every morning (Sunday excepted) at eight; and the "Herald" calls at the
King's Arms every evening (Sunday excepted) at seven; both fo through
Beith and Paisley To Saltcoats and Ardrossan the "Herald" (from Glasgow)
calls at the King's Arms every morning (Sunday excepted) at nine; and
the "Fair Trader" calls at the Crown Inn every evening (Sunday excepted)
at half past seven.
CARRIERS
To Glasgow Robert Crawford and Hugh Roger every Tuesday and Friday
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