A brief history of Skelmorlie
Skelmorlie, a picturesque village in North Ayrshire, boasts a fascinating history that dates to the fifteenth century.
Nestled on the eastern shore of the Firth of Clyde, Skelmorlie is divided into two sections: Lower and Upper Skelmorlie. The village is renowned for its breathtaking views across the Firth of Clyde to the ‘sleeping warrior’ on Arran in the south and to the mountains flanking Loch Long in the north. The rich red sandstone, a prominent feature of the landscape and housing, adds to Skelmorlie’s unique charm.
The land on which Skelmorlie sits was granted by King Malcolm III to the Cunninghame family around 1059. It was later acquired by Sir Alexander de Montgomerie of Ardrossan in 1453 when his sister Anne married Sir Robert Cunninghame of Kilmaurs.
Eight years later, in 1461, Sir Alexander, by then first Lord Montgomerie, granted a charter of the lands to his second son, George Montgomerie, who became the progenitor of the Montgomeries of Skelmorlie. George constructed the earliest recorded building in the village, a simple keep (fortified tower) around 1502, on the site of where Skelmorlie Castle stands today. Over the years, the keep was extended, gradually becoming a castle.
The Montgomeries of Skelmorlie resided in Skelmorlie Castle until 1819, when the last baronet, Hugh Montgomerie, died. The estate then passed to Lilias, daughter of the previous Baronet, and through marriage became part of the Earl of Eglinton’s land. The latter being a direct descendant of the first Lord Montgomerie.
Before 1840, the village as we know it didn’t exist, and what development there was was centred around Skelmorlie Castle and Meigle. At Meigle, there were houses such as Brigend and Millburn, some cottages and bothies, a post office and a school. Across the area, there were also farms (Barr, Dykes, Fardens, Thirdpart, Beithglass, Mains, etc.), many of which survive today.
The original Largs Road ran up Station Hill, along Skelmorlie Castle Road, and down past the Castle, joining the ‘red road’ at the Meigle, just in front of Millburn and Brigend. In the late 18th century, a new portion of road was built along the coast from Kelly Burn to Meigle, and by 1820, the Shore Road was extended along the coast to Largs, the A78 of today.
The village began to grow with the construction of Beach House in 1844.
Between 1855 and 1900, Skelmorlie transformed from a rural area to a seaside resort. Shops and houses sprang up all along Shore Road, and construction began in the upper village. Silverwood and Woodside, on either side of the library on Skelmorlie Castle Road, are believed to be two of the oldest houses in upper Skelmorlie, followed by Morland (1862) and Skelmorlie Hydropathic (1868).
Further development of Montgomerie Terrace and Skelmorlie Castle Road followed. Gradually, the roads and lanes in between were created, with the Arts and Crafts houses on the Crescent created in the noughties. The bungalows on Eglinton, Winton, and Montgomerie Drives followed in the 1930s, and by the start of the next decade, forty houses had been completed on Innes Park Road.
After World War II, housebuilding continued along Innes Park Road and into Beithglass Avenue. Then, between 1960 and 1980, Fosterland, Paddockdyke, and Annetyard were created, and most recently, the development of Balnagown Wynd was completed.
Skelmorlie has been home to many famous residents, including Professor of Medicine at Glasgow University, Allen Thomson (1809-1884), adventurer, William Watson (1826 –1906), architect, John Honeyman (1831-1914), artist and designer, Herbert McNair (1868-1955), artist Kate Wylie (1877-1941), author Dorita Bruce(1885 -1970), Church of Scotland minister and war hero, Dr Donald Caskie (1902-1983), music director and composer, Brian Fahey(1919-2007), and music legend, Gerry Rafferty(1947-2011).
Today, Skelmorlie is a vibrant community with a strong sense of heritage, making it a fascinating place to discover and explore.
Sources:
[1] An 1879 Guide to Wemyss Bay, Skelmorlie, Inverkip, Largs and the Surrounding Districts – The Rev John Boyd.
[2] The Castles and Mansions of Ayrshire – A H Millar and F S Scot, 1885.
[3] Wikipedia – ‘Skelmorlie’, ‘Skelmorlie Castle’, and the ‘Montgomeries’.
[4] ‘Skelmorlie – The story of the parish’ – Walter Smart, 1968.
[5] Skelmorlie Villas – www.Skelmorlievillas.co.uk