Location 55 27 03N, 4 19 55W
Andrew McCowan farmed there from 1700 and he farmhouse was built in 1749. mccowan.org
Kirk Session Records show that Francis Murdoch and his son George Murdoch lived in Orchardton in 1773.
The 1841 census shows Robert Steel 35 farming with his wife Janet (Howat) 20 and Williamina Peden 15
The 1851 census shows Robert Steel 54 farming 130 acres employing 1 labourer with his wife Janet 34, son Robert 9, dtr Jane 7, son Mungo 1, 2 Male farm labourers and 2 female house servants.
The 1861 census shows James Gilmour 36 farming 145 acres emp 2 men, 1 boy and 3 women. Living with him is his mother Catherine Gilmour (Pollock) 75, his sister Catherine 43, 1 ploughman, 1 Male servant and 2 female domestic servants.
The 1871 census shows James Gilmour 45 farming 145 acres arable emp 1 labourer and 2 boys. His sister Catherine 53 is housekeeper and they also employ 1 female domestic servant, 1 dairymaid and 2 Male farm servants.
1881 census shows James Gilmour 55 farming 140 acres arable. His sister Catherine Gilmour 63 lives with him at Orchardton. At the time of the census they have five servants living in and visitors. Visiting are Mary McRae 35, and Jeanie McRae 4 months. The servants are Jessie Taylor 40, Elizabeth McGlachan 19, and Maggie Taylor 25 all domestics, and William Ferguson 19, general servant.James Gilmour died at Orchardton in 1889.
The 1891 census shows Jessie Taylor 50 living at Orchardton as housekeeper with 2 female domestic servants and 2 male farm servants.
The 1901 census shows Orchardton now being farmed by Robert Bryan 47 (previously Moss-side Tarbolton) and his wife Elizabeth 46 (Burns). Elizabeth’s 1st husband was John Highet who died in 1882.
Also living there is son Hugh Highet 19 a ploughman, dtr Mary Bryan 13, son John Bryan 13, son Robert Bryan 9, son William Bryan 7 and 2 female domestic general servants.
Extract from Dumfries House Conservation Plan (Heritage Consultancy 2008) - Works to Policies 1800 to1850
Orchardton was farmed for a time in the 1960s early 1970s, by David Crichton Stuart , twin brother to the then Marquess of Bute. He later moved to the Isle of Man and died in 1977. Orchardton and the lands of Pennyfadzeoc were offered to Murray Stevenson in the mid 1980s, to break the tenancy on Bankend, and he farmed them until his death, in 2001.
Orchardton is now incorporated into the Duchy of Cornwall, along with Pennyfadzeoch lands, and Grimgrew land.
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| Ayrshire Express 28 March 1863 |
Extract from Dumfries House Conservation Plan (Heritage Consultancy 2008) - Works to Policies 1800 to1850
"Agricultural Improvements
New farm buildings were built, including the two elegant farmhouses of Pennyfadzeoch and Orchardton, both of which form set-pieces in the landscape. Pennyfadzeoch is ‘back-to-front’, presumably so that its principal front can be seen from within the policies. By the time of the New Statistical Account of 1837, most of the parish was enclosed by hedgerows.
The 2nd Marquess required his tenants to drain a proportion of their farms each year, and he provided free tiles to line the new drains from a tilework he had built for the purpose."
Orchardton was farmed for a time in the 1960s early 1970s, by David Crichton Stuart , twin brother to the then Marquess of Bute. He later moved to the Isle of Man and died in 1977. Orchardton and the lands of Pennyfadzeoc were offered to Murray Stevenson in the mid 1980s, to break the tenancy on Bankend, and he farmed them until his death, in 2001.
Orchardton is now incorporated into the Duchy of Cornwall, along with Pennyfadzeoch lands, and Grimgrew land.
Valuation Roll
1855 tenant James Gilmour.
1875 prop Marquis of Bute, tenants James and John Gilmour.
1905 - 1940 tenant Robert Bryan.
