Barr, Ayrshire
Encyclopedia
Barr is a picturesque village in the South West of Ayrshire
, Scotland
, located approximately 8 miles (12.9 km) from the town of Girvan
. There are various opinions as to the origins of the name. The most likely are either Gaelic meaning 'a meeting of water' or Brythonic
meaning 'round'. It is believed to have been established in the 17th century by smugglers who needed a safe place close to the secluded bays of the Ayrshire coast while having access to the Raiders Road which runs close by. Barr has not changed much since that time. Currently Barr Village has a population of approximately 110, while the total for the Parish of Barr is in the region of 260.
The village can be accessed from three directions. Each enters the village along a single track road with passing places. The main route is known locally as The Screws because of the twisting nature of the road. The Screws pass through the Hadyard Hill Wind Farm
which was established by Scottish and Southern Electricity. Visitors can walk along the service routes and read about the wind farm
at the information point in the car park.
land, although there are many which follow farm
settings.
. The village has a beautiful church which is open at all times. In addition, Kirk Angus lies at the heart of the village. Although the main building of the church has been converted into private residence, the clock tower
was donated to the people of Barr. At present options are being investigated for ways to utilise this valuable and historic resource for the community.
and putting green, both of which can be accessed behind the village hall
. There is a play park and football pitch
behind The Clachan. The village hall comprises a large hall, small hall, 2 meeting rooms and a stage. Weekend visitors can enjoy tea in the village hall on Sunday afternoons during summer months.
Barr is a sociable community and has many activities for residents on various evenings of the week. The Community Council and Community Assoc Management Committee meet on a monthly basis to look after village affairs and to manage the hall on behalf of South Ayrshire Council.
There are many scenic trails to walk or cycle. Mountain bikes are available to hire for the price of a donation from the village store.
Another of Barr's features is that there is no mobile signal in the village. There is a public telephone outside the village store.
Every two years, the people of Barr open selected gardens of the village to raise funds for Scotland's Garden Scheme. The alternative year the community hosts the annual Dailly and Barr Garden Show.
, the last place in the Scottish Lowlands where Gaelic
was spoken was the village of Barr on the River Stinchar in Ayrshire. Barr was once regarded as one of the most isolated places in that part of Scotland, though situated only a few miles from Girvan as the crow flies. Crichton gives neither date nor details.
Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, located approximately 8 miles (12.9 km) from the town of Girvan
Girvan
Girvan is a burgh in Carrick, South Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of about 8000 people. Originally a fishing port, it is now also a seaside resort with beaches and cliffs. Girvan dates back to 1668 when is became a municipal burgh incorporated by by charter...
. There are various opinions as to the origins of the name. The most likely are either Gaelic meaning 'a meeting of water' or Brythonic
Brythonic languages
The Brythonic or Brittonic languages form one of the two branches of the Insular Celtic language family, the other being Goidelic. The name Brythonic was derived by Welsh Celticist John Rhys from the Welsh word Brython, meaning an indigenous Briton as opposed to an Anglo-Saxon or Gael...
meaning 'round'. It is believed to have been established in the 17th century by smugglers who needed a safe place close to the secluded bays of the Ayrshire coast while having access to the Raiders Road which runs close by. Barr has not changed much since that time. Currently Barr Village has a population of approximately 110, while the total for the Parish of Barr is in the region of 260.
Location
The village is situated in the Stinchar Valley where the River Stinchar meets the Water of Gregg. The meeting point of these two watercourses is known locally as The Pot. Local residents and visitors often picnic on the banks of the Stinchar.The village can be accessed from three directions. Each enters the village along a single track road with passing places. The main route is known locally as The Screws because of the twisting nature of the road. The Screws pass through the Hadyard Hill Wind Farm
Hadyard Hill Wind Farm
Hadyard Hill Wind Farm is located in Carrick district of South Ayrshire. Costing £85 million, the wind farm consists of 52 three-bladed Danish wind turbines, each capable of generating 2.3 megawatts of power, giving a total output of 120 MW...
which was established by Scottish and Southern Electricity. Visitors can walk along the service routes and read about the wind farm
Wind farm
A wind farm is a group of wind turbines in the same location used to produce electric power. A large wind farm may consist of several hundred individual wind turbines, and cover an extended area of hundreds of square miles, but the land between the turbines may be used for agricultural or other...
at the information point in the car park.
Natural features
Barr has many naturally occurring features and a wealth of wildlife. It is popular with many people who enjoy the peace and quiet of the village and surrounds. There are several signed walks in the area, many of which pass through Forestry CommissionForestry Commission
The Forestry Commission is a non-ministerial government department responsible for forestry in Great Britain. Its mission is to protect and expand Britain's forests and woodlands and increase their value to society and the environment....
land, although there are many which follow farm
Farm
A farm is an area of land, or, for aquaculture, lake, river or sea, including various structures, devoted primarily to the practice of producing and managing food , fibres and, increasingly, fuel. It is the basic production facility in food production. Farms may be owned and operated by a single...
settings.
Buildings
The parish has a strong Covenanters history with several being laid to rest in the village cemeteryCemetery
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
. The village has a beautiful church which is open at all times. In addition, Kirk Angus lies at the heart of the village. Although the main building of the church has been converted into private residence, the clock tower
Clock tower
A clock tower is a tower specifically built with one or more clock faces. Clock towers can be either freestanding or part of a church or municipal building such as a town hall. Some clock towers are not true clock towers having had their clock faces added to an already existing building...
was donated to the people of Barr. At present options are being investigated for ways to utilise this valuable and historic resource for the community.
Activities
Barr has a bowling greenBowling green
A bowling green is a finely-laid, close-mown and rolled stretch of lawn for playing the game of lawn bowls.Before 1830, when Edwin Beard Budding invented the lawnmower, lawns were often kept cropped by grazing sheep on them...
and putting green, both of which can be accessed behind the village hall
Village hall
In the United States, a village hall is the seat of government for villages. It functions much as a city hall does within cities.In the United Kingdom, a village hall is usually a building within a village which contains at least one large room, usually owned by and run for the benefit of the local...
. There is a play park and football pitch
Association football pitch
An association football pitch is the playing surface for the game of association football made of turf. Its dimensions and markings are defined by Law 1 of the Laws of the Game, "The Field of Play".All line markings on the pitch form part of the area which they define...
behind The Clachan. The village hall comprises a large hall, small hall, 2 meeting rooms and a stage. Weekend visitors can enjoy tea in the village hall on Sunday afternoons during summer months.
Barr is a sociable community and has many activities for residents on various evenings of the week. The Community Council and Community Assoc Management Committee meet on a monthly basis to look after village affairs and to manage the hall on behalf of South Ayrshire Council.
There are many scenic trails to walk or cycle. Mountain bikes are available to hire for the price of a donation from the village store.
Another of Barr's features is that there is no mobile signal in the village. There is a public telephone outside the village store.
Every two years, the people of Barr open selected gardens of the village to raise funds for Scotland's Garden Scheme. The alternative year the community hosts the annual Dailly and Barr Garden Show.
Lodging
Barr has a small hotel called The King's Arms which provides a restaurant and bar for villagers and visitors. In addition to accommodation in the Kings Arms there are also several Bed and Breakfasthttp://www.bedandbreakfast-directory.co.uk/uploads/estate/html/co-South%20Ayrshire.htm and self catering holiday homes for rent in the area.Legends
There are many local legends such as the fight between Lord Changue and the Devil. The 'evidence' of this can be found at the top of the hill known as the Devil's Footprints.Language
According to a reference in The Carrick Covenanters by James CrichtonJames Crichton
James Crichton, known as the Admirable Crichton , was a Scottish polymath noted for his extraordinary accomplishments in languages, the arts, and sciences before his killing when aged 21.-Life:...
, the last place in the Scottish Lowlands where Gaelic
Scottish Gaelic language
Scottish Gaelic is a Celtic language native to Scotland. A member of the Goidelic branch of the Celtic languages, Scottish Gaelic, like Modern Irish and Manx, developed out of Middle Irish, and thus descends ultimately from Primitive Irish....
was spoken was the village of Barr on the River Stinchar in Ayrshire. Barr was once regarded as one of the most isolated places in that part of Scotland, though situated only a few miles from Girvan as the crow flies. Crichton gives neither date nor details.