which looks more like the local pronunciation
Avisyard has a couple of interesting field names; The Layers, which a piece of rough ground behind the farmstead, which may be habitat for fox lairs or rabbits.
And Jimmy's field, which is named for James Swan who hand dug and drained the field. In the census of 1841 there is a family called Swan in the neighbouring farm of Darmalloch.
There is another called Cott field, now in ruins, the old cott still remains.
The name Avisyard is said to come from the word aviary - maybe a place for breeding birds.
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| National Library of Scotland |
Location on map circa 1900
1607 Will of Christian Allan shows George Campbell in Avisyard
Wills show the Boyle family in the 17th century
From old wills and Kirk Session records transcribed by Yvonne Saunderson
AVISYARD 1697 George Boyle Of Avisyeard, father of William Boyle From the Will and Testament of George Boyle
1697 William Boyle Of Avisyeard, "only lawful son of George Boyle". From the Will and Testament of George Boyle
OPR 1743 baptism
Elspeth Templeton daughter lawful to John Templeton and Agnes Paterson in Avisyard was baptised March 13 1743
OPR Baptism Margaret daughter of John Murdoch in Avisyard and Agnes Mitchell his spouse was registered in order to baptism December 13th 1764
OPR 1799 baptism
Agnes lawful daughter of Andrew Hair and Jane Farquhar in Avisyard was horn on the 22 and baptised on the Sabbath the 27th October 1799
Avisyard has a couple of interesting field names; The Layers, which a piece of rough ground behind the farmstead, which may be habitat for fox lairs or rabbits.
And Jimmy's field, which is named for James Swan who hand dug and drained the field. In the census of 1841 there is a family called Swan in the neighbouring farm of Darmalloch.
There is another called Cott field, now in ruins, the old cott still remains.
The name Avisyard is said to come from the word aviary - maybe a place for breeding birds.
The Cott and Field
Morag Gordon, September 2020
"I never stayed in the cott house. But I can remember going with my sister to play out there. I can remember the black fireplace and an assortment of pots that must have been left behind. Am quite sure it was a dirt floor. There was a tin shed round the back which would have been a dry toilet".
Morag Gordon, September 2020
"I never stayed in the cott house. But I can remember going with my sister to play out there. I can remember the black fireplace and an assortment of pots that must have been left behind. Am quite sure it was a dirt floor. There was a tin shed round the back which would have been a dry toilet".
(Morag Gordon 2020)
1764 - birth of a daughter Margaret to John Murdoch and Agnes Samson in Aviesyard
1793 - birth of John Hair, who became a well respected person in Pontnewynydd, Wales.See Obit. below
Horse Tax 1797-98 Andrew Hair, Avisyard, 4 horses, 2 taxed.
1793 - birth of John Hair, who became a well respected person in Pontnewynydd, Wales.See Obit. below
Horse Tax 1797-98 Andrew Hair, Avisyard, 4 horses, 2 taxed.
Census
John Mackie from Bowton, and Elizabeth Sloan, Treesmax
1841 census Avisyard John McKay 30 ag lab. The only name entered
1841 census Avisyard John McKay 30 ag lab. The only name entered
1851 Census - Avisyard, Cumnock
John Mackie 38 - farmer of 270 acres employing 4 labourers. They are George Murdoch 24, Frances Campbell 23 and John Walsh 17, both from Ireland, Marion Sloan 31 (sister to Elizabeth, from Treesmax), and Margaret Lee 19, house servants.
1861 Census - Aviesyard, Cumnock
John Mackie 50 farmer of 346 acres employing 3 men & 3 women with mother Mary 82. Servants are Daniel Dow 21, ploughman, William Coleians 20, Peter anining 17, Marion Sloan 17 (?), dairymaid, Sarah Demster 17, and Jamesima Jack 25.
1871 Census - Avisgard, Cumnock
John Mackay 59 - farmer of 346 acres 336 of arable employing 5 labourers. John now has a wife Elizabeth 39 and a six year old son John. Servants are Machael Brackeny 20 from Ireland, Helen Gray 21, Mary Cameron 18 and Janet Sanderson 13.
1881 Census - Avizyard Farm, Cumnock
John Mackie 69 - farmer of 346 acres., wife Eliza 49, and son John 15. Servants are James Hamilton 22, ploughman, Robert Johnston 18, Jane Munn 20, Janet Reid 12, and Helen Corr 16, from Ireland.
I have added the Irish connection because it seems to be unusual.
Poem by Alexander Barrowman 1842-1913 reproduced in the Cumnock Chronicle in 1931
Aisyard gets a mention in another of Barrowman's poems The Auchinleck Water Scheme.
It seems the water supply to Auchinleck in 1888 came from Aisyard.
1891 Census - Aviesyard Farm, Cumnock
Allan Stevenson 54 and a widower.- farmer ( wife Mary Mair). He had his family with him, Jeanie 20, dairymaid, Allan 19, (later went to Nether Cairn) James 17, Maggie M 16, dairymaid, Agnes 12, dairymaid, Jessie 12. Servants were Helen Moore 19, and George Richard 16.
1901 Census - Avisyard Farm, Cumnock
Allan Stevenson 64 - farmer. Family are James 26, Jeanie Wallace 30, Maggie Mair 24, Agnes 22 and Jessie 21. Servants are Andrew Jamieson 23, ploughman and Adam Begg 16.
Allan Stevenson ( born 1836 Ladyyard, Tarbolton ) moved to Muiryhill, Durisdeer, Dumfries where he died in 1914.
Allan Stevenson ( born 1836 Ladyyard, Tarbolton ) moved to Muiryhill, Durisdeer, Dumfries where he died in 1914.
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Allan Stevenson farmer in Avisyard, b Ladyyard 1836 d Muiryhill 1914 |
Valuation Rolls
The last tenant was Thomas Howie who died in 1924. By 1925 William Reid was proprietor/occupier by 1925
1855 proprietor General Campbell, tenant John Mackie
1865 proprietor Robert Campbell, tenant John Mackie
1885 tenant Allan Stevenson
1905 proprietor Captain Robert Mitchell Campbell
1915 proprietor Captain Robert Mitchell Campbell Tenant Occupier Thomas Howie
1920 proprietor Major Arthur Maxwell Mitchell Campbell Tenant Occupier Thomas Howie
1925 proprietor/occupier William Reid
1930 prop William Reid
1940 prop John Shankland
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| Howies, Morag Gordon |
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| Howies, Morag Gordon |
William Reid 1925-1935
Avisyard Hill possible site of a Roman Camp 1855-7 OS name books
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| Rucking machine at Avisyard 1950s, Morag Gordon |
2020 Avisyard is on the market
Avisyard is a substantial stock rearing hill farm extending to 300 acres or thereby lying to the South East of Cumnock in Ayrshire. Having a good dry hill it has in the past carried 100-120 suckled cows producing superior Limousin Cross Calves marketed through the nearby Mart in Ayr. 200-300 wintering hoggs are taken on each year.
Additional income is derived from police and phone masts and a SRDP Wildlife Management Scheme. There's a large loch of 30 acres for fishing and a 1 acre pond for duck shooting.
