Ayr we go ( again) 2 ! Traditional Cache

Third in the series to show some of the work done by:-Ayrshire Paths

The History of the Auchincruive area

Located in the parish of St Quivox, Ayrshire, Auchincruive is part of the ancient seat of the Cathcarts. Richard Oswald, a merchant from London and a commissioner in Paris for peace negotiations with the Americans. bought the estate in 1764. After his death in 1784, his widow (nee Mary Ramsay) remained at Auchincruive. She died in London in 1788 and was buried beside her husband at St Quivox. Auchincruive then passed to their son, Richard Alexander Oswald, a government contractor during the American War.

More recently, Auchincruive is part of an estate gifted to the Secretary of State by John Hannah of Girvan Mains. It became the home of the Scottish Agricultural College and the Hannah Research Institute is named in his honour.

The main building on the estate is Auchincruive House or Oswald Hall. Some of the interiors were designed by Robert Adam. Adam also designed Oswald's Temple in 1778, a summerhouse or folly to the North of the estate.

William Wallace and Auchincruive

William Wallace, the celebrated Scots freedom fighter, may have been born at Ellerslie, Riccarton, near Kilmarnock although there is some debate over the location. As well as the acclaimed battles he was forever getting into skirmishes with the English soldiers.

In April 1292 Wallace was fishing at Irvine Water when some soldiers demanded his catch. A fight ensued during which Wallace disarmed a soldier with his fishing rod and then used the discarded sword to kill the soldier. Four other soldiers then attacked Wallace who fought back killing one and injuring the other soldiers. Wallace's uncle, Sir Richard Wallace of Riccarton, sent Wallace to the safety of another relative, Wallace of Auchincruive, to hide until the situation had settled down. He concealed William Wallace in Leglen Wood.

This site proved a useful hiding place for Wallace as he returned here after several skirmishes with the English.

There is a monument to both Wallace and Burns at a spot immediately on the right after crossing Oswald's Bridge heading south. This is where Robert Burns sought inspiration for his tribute "Scots Wha Hae".

Scots, wha hae wi Wallace bled,
Scots, wham Bruce has aften led,
Welcome to your gory bed,
Or to victorie!

Enough History!....Where is the cache ?

OK the starting point for the cache is "Oswald's Bridge", @ ~ N55°28.488 W004°33.119 . Take a few mins to visit the memorial across the road to Ayrshire's two sons, Robert Burns and William Wallace.
There is an excellent circular walk which can be started from either of the 2 marked styles on each side of the house. I would recommend starting from the style furthest away from the bridge ( there is only one wee steep bit on the route and by going anti- clockwise, the steep bit is downhill.)

Follow the red way-point signs when you enter the woodland, and take a few minutes to visit Wallace's Seat ... even though there isn't one. The path follows the Ayr and you should see plenty of wildlife.

Original finders are welcome to relog the cache ( if they find it) ..