Barr, Ayrshire

Barr
Barr
	Barr Location within South Ayrshire
Population	160
OS grid reference	NX274940
Council area	South Ayrshire;
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Girvan
Postcode district	KA26
Dialling code	01465
Police	Scotland
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish
UK Parliament	Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock;
Scottish Parliament	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley;
	List of places UK Scotland 55°12′06″N 4°42′42″W / 55.2018°N 4.7116°W

Barr is a village in South Ayrshire, Scotland, approximately 8 miles (13 km) from the town of Girvan. There are various opinions as to the origins of the name. The most likely is the Gaelic bàrr meaning 'a hill-top, a height'. 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 grown 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 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 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.

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^[1] in the area, many of which pass through Forestry Commission land, although there are many which follow farm settings.

Buildings

The parish has a strong Covenanting history with several being laid to rest in the village cemetery. The village has a 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.

Language

According to a reference in The Carrick Covenanters by James Crichton, 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.^[2]

References

^ Barr Village Paths, Ayrshire Paths website. Last accessed 16 August 2010.
^ For further discussion on the subject of Gaelic in the South of Scotland, see articles "Gàidhlig Ghallghallaibh agus Alba-a-Deas" ("Gaelic of Galloway and Southern Scotland") and "Gàidhlig ann an Siorramachd Inbhir-Àir" ("Gaelic in Ayrshire") by Garbhan MacAoidh, published in the literary magazine Gairm, Numbers 101 and 106.

External links

Barr Village website

[1] Barr Village Paths, Ayrshire Paths website. Last accessed 16 August 2010.

[2] For further discussion on the subject of Gaelic in the South of Scotland, see articles "Gàidhlig Ghallghallaibh agus Alba-a-Deas" ("Gaelic of Galloway and Southern Scotland") and "Gàidhlig ann an Siorramachd Inbhir-Àir" ("Gaelic in Ayrshire") by Garbhan MacAoidh, published in the literary magazine Gairm, Numbers 101 and 106.

[1]

[2]

v t e Carrick
Settlements	Former burghs Ballantrae Girvan Maybole Others Auchencrosh Balkissock Bargany Barr Colmonell Crosshill Dailly Drumshang Dunure Greenan Kirkmichael Kirkoswald Lendalfoot Maidens Minishant Old Dailly Patna Pinmore Pinwherry Smyrton Straiton
Administration	National subdivisions Ayrshire and Arran lieutenancy area Carrick earldom Kyle and Carrick local government district Sheriffdom and County of Ayr South Ayrshire Council area Parliamentary seats (Scotland) Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley Parliamentary seats (UK) Ayrshire (1708–1868) South Ayrshire (1868–1983) Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (1983–2005) Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock (2005–)
Culture	Gaelic in Carrick and Galloway Sawney Bean
Geography	Islands Ailsa Craig Lochs Craigdow Loch Loch Bradan Loch Doon Loch Dornal Loch Finloch Loch Goosey Loch Spaig Loch Spallander Loch Spouts Rivers River Doon River Stinchar Water of App Water of Girvan Water of Tig
History	Heritage sites Blairquhan Castle Carleton Castle Crossraguel Abbey Culzean Castle Dinvin Motte Dunduff Castle Dunure Castle Glenapp Castle Greenan Castle Kirkoswald Parish Church Knockdolian Maybole Castle Maybole Collegiate Church Penkill Castle Turnberry Castle People Abbots of Crossraguel Clan Kennedy Earls or mormaers of Carrick Marquesses of Ailsa and their predecessors
Sport	Girvan F.C. Maybole Juniors F.C. Turnberry golf course
Transport	Railway lines Girvan and Portpatrick Junction Railway Maybole and Girvan Railway Railway stations Barrhill railway station Girvan railway station Maybole railway station Roads A77 A714

v t e South Ayrshire
Towns	Ayr Girvan Maybole Prestwick Troon
Villages, hamlets, and suburbs	Alloway Annbank Ballantrae Barassie Barr Barrhill Belmont Colmonell Coodham Coylton Craigie Crosshill Dailly Doonfoot Dundonald Dunure Failford Heathfield Joppa Kincaidston Kirkmichael Kirkoswald Lendalfoot Loans Maidens Minishant Monkton Mossblown Old Dailly Pinmore Pinwherry Seafield Straiton Symington Tarbolton Turnberry
See Also	Carrick Kyle Kyle and Carrick Strathclyde South Ayrshire Council elections
Neighbouring council areas: East Ayrshire North Ayrshire Dumfries and Galloway