Pronounced: plot COCK (stress on second syllable)
In 1905 there was an event held to mark the leaving from the parish of Mr Sloan from Plotcock. He recounted in his vote of thanks that the Sloans had moved to Plotcock from Cawhillan in the 16th century, siting the remark that the Sloans had occupied this farm for upwards of 210 years, and five generations.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald December 1905
Horse Tax 1797-98 William Sloan Plotcock, 6 horses
The History of Ochiltree Village & Parish - Dane Love
p330
Plotcock
90 acres in 1851. Steading converted into five houses c2000 - renamed Gowanpark.
1619 Ochiltree Estate
1695 Ochiltree Estate - John Sloan (1673-17 )
Ochiltree Estate - William Sloan (1703-17 )
1791-1807 Ochiltree Estate - William Sloan (1753-1807)
1807-1812 Ochiltree Estate - Hugh Sloan (1780-1861)
1812-1861 Polquhairn Estate - Hugh Sloan (1780-1861)
1861-1891 Polquhairn Estate - Andrew Sloan (1811-1891)
1891-1908 Polquhairn Estate - Hugh Sloan (1857-1932)
1914-1921 Walker of Bellsbank - William Lammie
1925 Walker of Bellsbank - David Brown
1940 Walker of Bellsbank - David Brown
-1961 David Brown (1887-1961)
1961-1965 A. Brown
-2004 David Brown
2004-2020 Hugh Watson of Laigh Tarbeg (1960-20 ) (land only)
1841 Census - Plotcock
Hugh Sloan & wife Agnes Murdoch - farmer,
Hugh & John Sloan sons, 1 manservant & 1 farm servant (woman)
NB. Hugh was married twice. His 1st wife was Sarah Kay/Key. He married Sarah 29/6/1808 at Ochiltree. Sarah died 26/3/1826 at Plotcock. All Hugh’s children were with Sarah. Hugh’s 2nd wife was Agnes Murdoch whose parents were James Murdoch and Jean Kay/Key.
1851 Census
Hugh & wife Agnes - farmer of 90 acres emp 4 labourers, son Andrew & grandson John Smith, 2 house servants (f) & 1 farm labourer (m)
1861 Census
Andrew Sloan - farmer of 112 acres emp 2 labourers,
wife Margaret (Wallace) & 1 son, 2 Dom servants (f), 1 ploughman, 1 agr lab (m)
1871 Census
Andrew Sloan - farmer of 910 (sic) acres arable (more likely 90 or 91) emp 2 labs,
w Margaret & son, 1 dairymaid, 1 gen serv (Dom female). 1 ploughman, 1 agr lab (m)
1881 Census
Andrew Sloan - farmer of 94 acres arable emp 1 man 1boy 2 girls,
wife Margaret & 1 son, 1 dairymaid, 1 gen serv (Dom female). 1 Fs (Male)
1891 Census
Hugh Sloan - farmer and wife Annie, 3 children, Margaret Sloan (mother), 1 gen serv (f), 1 nurse, 2 FS (m)
1901 Census
Hugh Sloan - farmer and wife Annie M and their 6 children, mother Margaret, 1 fs (m), 1 DS (f), 1 gen s (f)
Inventory of Andrew Sloan sometime farmer Plotcock Parish of Ochiltree afterwards resident in village of Ochiltree who died 10/1/1891 at Ochiltree testate. Given up at Ayr by Margaret Wallace or Sloan his widow executive.
The Sloan family moved to Carbello in the neighbouring parish in 1905, and with them went the mole catcher Mr Buck, who had caught moles at Plotcock for over fifty years.
The Sloan family moved to Carbello in the neighbouring parish in 1905, and with them went the mole catcher Mr Buck, who had caught moles at Plotcock for over fifty years.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald December 1905
Valuation Rolls
1855 prop. J P Wilson, tenant Andrew Sloan.
1895 tenant Hugh Sloan.
1905 prop. T P Wilson, tenants shown as Hugh Sloan and William Lammie.
1920 prop. Lord Skerrington, tenant William Lammie.
1925 tenants David Brown & Miss Jane Walker.
1930 prop. Jane Walker, tenant David Brown.
1940 prop. W J P W Walker.
In recent times Plotcock steading was partly redeveloped for housing and the land is owned by Hugh Watson and run to feed the cows at Laigh Tarbeg.
