Ayr is named after the river, of course, but how did the name 'Ayr' originate? There is no clear derivation but there are many rivers throughout Europe similarly named e.g. Aire in Yorkshire and in France, Aare in Switzerland, Aar in Belgium and so on.

Th first documented record of Ayr was in 1197, when the castle was built by William the Lion, King of Scots, somewhere between the rivers Ayr and Doon. It was called Newcastle-upon-Ayr. Eight years later, in 1205, by royal charter in became a burgh. King William states in The Charter of Foundation of the Burgh of Ayr, amongst other things, that 'I have allotted in it (i.e. Ayr) a market every Saturday. I have also allotted to the burgesses who shall come hither to inhabit my burgh and settle and dwell there that they be free from toll and from all other custom for their proper goods throughout my whole land.' This was signed at Lanark on 21 May 1205.

The parish church of Ayr at that time, and in existence before the Burgh Charter, was dedicated to St John the Baptist. It was located, it is thought, near the original castle outwith the burgh. It was first mentioned in 1233 and with numerous extensions and a number of altars added became an impressive medieval structure. Only the Tower of St. John survives from the 15th century. A Dominican friary was established in Ayr by Alexander II. The site of the friary, just off the High St. is commemorated at Blackfriars Walk, Dominican friars being known as Black Friars from their robes. Another order of friars became established in Ayr in the 15th century. They were the Franciscans. They remained faithful to their vows of poverty whereas the Dominicans had sought property and wealth. Their church was located just upstream from the present Auld Brig. For many centuries, the 'parish' church of Ayr was dedicated to St. John the Baptist. Indeed, Ayr was at one time known as St. John's Town of Ayr.

In its early years as a burgh, Ayr was favoured by royal patronage and much money flowed into the town. Royal grants from Kings Alexander I and II funded the extension of the town lands and harbour for fishing and trade. Ships to repel the Viking invasion in 1263 were built at Ayr, funded by the King. Ayr was also a focal point in the battle for Scottish independence in the 13th and 14th centuries, the Bruce and Wallace families both having close links with the town. Wallace was commemorated in the construction of the Wallace Tower in the High Street.

By the late 16th century, Ayr was a major burgh in Scotland, contributing significant funds to the royal exchequer. Its population at that time stood at about 2000, comprising of merchants and traders involved in local and international trade. It was also visited by James V and Mary, Queen of Scots during the century. It is also worth noting that golf was already being played. Local magistrates having to deal with the theft of 'ane guid irn' and 'goff ballis'!

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the effects of the Reformation of the medieval Church impacted on Ayr. The abuses of the Church became the target of criticism , particularly their wealth and land-ownership. The movement for change throughout Scotland culminated in the Scots parliament rejecting the authority of the Pope in 1560. Many of the reformation leaders, however, were pursuing change for their own ends at the expense of the church. With Scots divided both religiously and politically Oliver Cromwell moved into Scotland and, indeed, into Ayr with a garrison of some 500 men.

During the 18th century, Ayr continued to flourish with increasing numbers of trades people in he town and increased public funding opening up new roads and public buildings. This was despite a decline in its fortunes in the early part of the century when its total revenues declined to a mere £2500. However, by the end of the century it had doubled its population and expanded trade with Europe and America. Tobacco from America, wood from Canada and wine from Europe were traded for local coal and Ayr began to thrive as a port. Of course, Robert Burns, Scotland's national bard was living in Alloway and at his most prolific around this time. Burn's Statue Square commemorates his achievements.

Ayr continued to be the 'capital of Ayrshire' though by the end of the century Kilmarnock was the major manufacturing centre.

The first official census in Ayr was conducted in 1801 and showed a population in Ayr of 5492 with 1724 in Newton and 2070 in St. Quivox across the river. Early in the century the Sandgate and most of the High Street were re-built to accommodate the expanding needs of the town. The New Brig was also built to take harbour traffic off the High Street. Ayr Town Building, complete with spire was completed in 1830. Libraries opened and Ayr's 'Western' Race meeting began in the early 19th century. A local newspaper, the Ayr Advertiser, stated publication in 1803. Ayr was beginning to thrive.

Ayr Academy, built in 1796, opened formally for pupils in 1800. In 1827 in Wallacetown was established in John Street the Roman Catholic Church and was described as ' the handsomest church in Ayr' at the time. This was required to cope with the massive increase in Irish immigrants.

The social divides in Ayr were by now becoming even more evident. The wealthy business men of the town were on the Ayr side of the river, whilst the poorer residents were confined to the Newton side. Fine Georgian buildings appeared in Ayr with attractive lands to the south towards Alloway. To the north, disease and poor social conditions were manifest. Poverty and Poor Houses were the order of the day with many charitable organisations and social welfare reformers working to alleviate the worst of the conditions.

The inauguration of the Ayr - Glasgow railway line on 11 August 1840, with trains arriving at the North Harbour improved Ayr's accessibility to the rest of Scotland and enhanced its trading position. It was not until 1857 that the present station opened permitting easier access to south Ayrshire and the iron and coal mines near Dalmellington.

By the 20th century Ayr's population had grown to nearly 30,000. Shops to replace the stalls appeared in the High Street. Ayr had by now taken on its familiar Victorian architecture with attractive terraced housing and squares, notably Wellington Square. The familiar trams were introduced in 1901 and were to run for thirty years.

Tourists from Glasgow and beyond were being catered for with the Pavilion opening in 1911. Visitors flocked to the town to visit all the famous Burns sites at Alloway, now part of the town of Ayr. The New Racecourse was opened in Whittletts Road and the 'Honest Men' ofAyr United Football Team started playing their matches at Somerset park in 1910.

Ayr continued to prosper as a holiday resort in the first half of the 20th century with the famous Cadona's Fairground and the Popplewell's Gaiety Theatre being popular attractions. Day trippers came to Ayr by train and bus to sample the local delights. Meantime, Ayr continued to expand into Whitletts, Heathfield, Belmont and Holmston to accommodate the ever increasing demand for housing.

Ayr remains to this day an attractive town to live in and, hopefully, will continue to survive the ravages of so-called town developer!

Robert Burns, Scotland's national bard, was born on 25th January 1859 at Alloway in the parish of Ayr. He lived at the cottage which survives to this day in Alloway and in his teens at another farm at Mount Oliphant. His father, William, had come from the east of Scotland, near Stonehaven, looking for employment. He married a local girl, Agnes Broun and built what is now called Burns Cottage. Robert was the eldest of seven children, the others being Gilbert (1760-1832), Agnes (1762-1834), Anabella (1764-1832), William (1767-1790), John (1769-17850 and Isabella (1771-1858). During his early years, Robert attended school in Alloway and was taught by John Murdoch until 1768. Life was hard in those days and even as a child Robert had to work on the farm. Reading the family bible was a regular event and was to condition Robert for the rest of his life as, indeed, was his views on the working man and his worth to society.

His early education also had a marked effect on him and his love of the written word and, of course, poetry especially. It became the vehicle for expressing his innermost thoughts on life but not without a great deal of humour! The publication of his collection of poems in 'The Kilmarnock Edition' in 1786 brought Robert to national attention and eventually to world reknown. His ability to debunk authority and hypocracy in a few telling lines was his hallmark together with an ability to appeal to the basic values of man regardless of rank, colour or creed.

He died on 21 July 1796 at the age of 37 leaving behind a legacy of poetry and lyrics which will forever hold him in high esteem.

You can find out much more about Robert Burns and how his life and works are still celebrated by clicking on the links to the excellent sites below.