Ayr, Poor House
Hospital (17th Century), Poor House (18th Century)
Site Name Ayr, Poor House
Classification Hospital (17th Century), Poor House (18th Century)
Canmore ID 41790
Site Number NS32SW 22
NGR NS 3416 2160
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/41790
- Council South Ayrshire
- Parish Ayr
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Kyle And Carrick
- Former County Ayrshire
NS32SW 22 3416 2160.
(NS 3416 2160: sited from plan) A hospital for the poor, funded by the burgh, was established at the foot of Mill Vennel in the early years of the 17th century. Records show that it was completed by 1615, and was still functioning in 1657, but its subsequent history is not clear. In 1755, the town council built a poorshouse on or near the site of the earlier hospital.
R Gourlay and A Turner 1977; A I Dunlop 1953; W Dodd 1972; J H Pagan 1897
The poor house, dated 1755, is now used as an abbatoir. There is no trace of the earlier hospital.
Visited by OS (JLD) 28 December 1955
The poor house building has been demolished and the site is now a car park. No further information.
Visited by OS (MJF) 29 October 1980
NMRS REFERENCE
Established 1759.
Publication Account (1977)
A hospital funded by the burgh was established at the foot of Mill Vennel in the early years of the seventeenth century. From information in the burgh accounts it appears that the structure was fairly well built: with timber, slates and iron used in its construction. The buildings appear to have been completed by 1615 when it is noted that 'coals for the poor of the hospital' were to be purchased (Pryde, 1937, 162). It seems to have been still functioning in 1657, but its subsequent history is unclear. In 1755 the town council built a Poorshouse on or near the site of the earlier hospital.
Information from ‘Historic Ayr: The Archaeological Implications of Development’ (1977).
