Monkton, Ayrshire

Monkton is a small village in the Parish of Monkton and Prestwick in South Ayrshire, Scotland.

The nearest town is Prestwick and the settlement borders upon Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

The village was originally known as Prestwick Monachorum.

The tower-like building on the hill was originally a windmill and later a doocot. It is not to be confused with the structure on the opposite side of Prestwick Airport runway, the Shaw Monument, which was originally used by the then landowner to follow hunting with falcons on his land. This vaulted windmill dates from the 17th century, converted to a dovecot in the 18th century when conical slated roof slot for potence and fireclay nesting boxes added. It had two doorways, one blocked.

old Windmill; also called the Dovecot.

The MacRae of Orangefield Memorial above the Dutch Barn Caravan Park.

Fairfield Lodge.

Monktonhead Lodge. The driveway to Monktonhead House has been truncated by the bypass.

The church was dedicated to St. Cuthbert and dates from the 13th century. It was in use up until 1837, being suppressed by the Court of Teinds in 1834 and a new united church built near the Pow Burn. The Poet Robert Burns' Nephew, the Rev Thomas Burns was instrumental in the building of the new church and for a time it was locally known as 'Burns's Folly'. It was in Monkton church that Blind Harry's poem The Actes and Deidis of the Illustre and Vallyeant Campioun Schir William Wallace bases the story that William Wallace went to pray, fell asleep and had an inspirational dream which revived his flagging resolve to rescue Scotland from Edward I.

The south side.

The 17th century northern transept.

The ornate 17th century entrance to Saint Cuthbert church.

An ornate carved cross on the 17th century transept.

The mausoleum of William Weir of Adamtom and Kildonan.

The Angus of Ladykirk aisle.

Monkton station opened on 5 August 1859 as part of the Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway, later the Glasgow and South Western Railway. The station, now represented by the Prestwick airport fuel unloading sidings, was closed on 28 October 1940 by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, therefore not even surviving into British Railways days.

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