R.A.W - Macadam the Roadbuilder Traditional Cache
ROSE-&-THISTLE: Cache gone AWOL for the 3rd time. gone for good
R.A.W - Macadam the Roadbuilder
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Difficulty:
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Size: 
(small)
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This is one of a series of caches that has been placed along the River Ayr Walk and its connecting pathways between Sorn and Glenbuck.
The caches have all been sited at significant points with the intention of introducing the cacher to the rich history, the wildlife and the natural beauty of this area.
The River Ayr Way is Scotland’s first source to sea path network and stretches for 66km from Glenbuck to the sea at Ayr.
Many people are aware of the term ‘tarmac’ or to give it its full name ‘Tar Macadam’. Somewhat confusingly, it has over the years been accepted as the name given to the tarred top surface on a road. Sorry to have to dispel this! ‘Tar’ Macadam was a nickname given to John Loudon Macadam solely as a result of his association with Lord Dundonald’s tar works in Muirkirk.
The tar however was not used as a top surface in road construction but as a means of making rope more durable in its numerous industrial applications. The term “Macadamised” refers to the use of progressively graded stones in a number of layers as the basic construction of a road. The result is a resilient, smooth (well, relatively speaking!) top surface that allows any water to drain through.
This was indeed a tremendous improvement over the ‘dirt tracks’ that were the norm of the day and which often became treacherous mires. It is entirely coincidental that Macadam (a road builder), also made tar which is now universally used as a road surfacing material.
Macadam was born on 21st September 1756 in the house at the corner of Sandgate and Cathcart Street Ayr and died in Moffat on the 26th November 1836. He was buried in the old kirkyard in Moffat and curiously there is no mention on the gravestone of his road making activities.
To the south of Muirkirk on the drover’s road to Sanquhar stands a cairn to his memory. Incidentally, the road out to the cairn was one of Macadams first to be built using his experimental method of graded stones so those that now use it are actually walking on history.
The cairn incidentally is built on the site of his tar kilns. Macadam was offered a knighthood but for reasons unknown he chose not to accept the honour. Park at the 'walkers carpark' at N55 30.885 W004 03.992 and head west past the Kames car racing track and Muirkirk Golf Club..
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
ng n fznyy qvc orybj urngure naq oruvaq n ebpx
Treasures
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