Symington Strolls 1 - Symington Church Traditional Cache
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Symington Strolls 1 - Symington Church
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Welcome to Symington Strolls – a series of 15 traditional caches in and around the area of this delightful South Ayrshire village. This is Number 1 in the series but can also be taken as a cache-n-dash. The complete circuit is under 10 miles long. It loops back through the village and can therefore be done in 2 stages. All these caches can of course also be attempted individually.
During these walks you will encounter the usual caching challenges of terrain, navigation and retrieval. There’s nothing steep to climb but some sections of the series are on tracks which can get a little overgrown and these can also get quite muddy after heavy rain. Wildlife such as roe deer, hawks, grouse, squirrels, rabbits, etc may be seen. Where appropriate, additional information regarding safety, parking, etc and occasionally a little history is provided in our notes for each cache. Free parking is available throughout the village. All parking should be in accordance with any local signage, by-laws,etc.
This is a magnetic nano so please bring your own writing implement. Early in the 12th Century, an Anglo-Norman incomer was given this area of Ayrshire by Walter the Steward (whose kingdom was centred around Dundonald Castle and whose descendants founded the Stewart kings dynasty). This incomer was Symon Loccard and he had a mound (or motte) constructed – approximately where Main Street now splits into two – upon which he had a wooden castle built. A subsequent landowner removed the mound in the 19th century so nothing visible remains though various artefacts were unearthed at that time which indicate a much earlier Bronze Age settlement on the same site.
Loccard founded the church at the same time. This Grade A listed building dates from 1160AD and is a rare example of Norman Architecture. It is one of the oldest in Scotland and certainly one of the few of that age that are still in continuous use today.
The cache is sited in an area known as the Hay-Boyd Memorial Garden, adjacent to the Church. The family of that name granted lands for a school and village hall to be built in the village. The garden is level and suitable for wheelchair users. Free parking is available outside the garden. Beware of muggles!
The Wheatsheaf Inn on Main Street has a great reputation for wholesome meals and snacks and is family friendly. It is open every day with food available from 11.00 to 21.30 so it is ideal for lunch before you start or dinner on return!
If continuing to Number 2 in this series, proceed northwards along Brewlands Road until you reach the outskirts of the village then turn left into Lomond View (parking also available there)
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Bayl whfg fgnegrq? Fheryl lbh qba'g arrq gb erfg nyernql!
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