Kyle, Ayrshire

Kyle (or Coila poetically; Scottish Gaelic: Cuil) is a former comital district of Scotland which stretched across parts of modern-day East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire. It is said to be named after Coel Hen, a king of the Britons, who was reputedly killed in battle in this area and is said to be buried in a cairn near Mauchline. Kyle is also a popular name with its origins meaning straight or narrow.

The area was bordered by the historical districts of Cunninghame to the north, Clydesdale to the east and by Carrick to the south. The Firth of Clyde lies to the west.

Kyle was the central of the three districts in the sheriffdom of Ayr, which was divided naturally by its three primary rivers all running in a generally westward direction to flow into the firth of Clyde. The River Irvine formed the northern boundary of Kyle with Cunninghame; the River Doon established its southern boundary with Carrick. Additionally, Kyle itself was sub-divided into two parts. To the north of the River Ayr was "Kyle Stewart" (sometimes called "Stewart Kyle" or "Walter's Kyle"), lands held by the FitzAlans (the future Stewart Kings of Scotland) since the 12th century. To the south was "Kyle Regis" or "King's Kyle", lands historically retained by the monarch under royal authority from the royal castle at Ayr. (On 16 May 1975 Ayr County Council officially disbanded these old districts and burghs.)

Kyle was eventually combined with Cunninghame and Carrick into the county of the Shire of Ayr during reorganisation due to Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889; this Act established a uniform system of county councils and town councils in Scotland and restructured many of Scotland’s areas.

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