Ayr Fort

[cessna152towser]

On Wednesday I flew west to Prestwick and then caught a bus to Ayr and visited Ayr Fort.
The Fort was built to instruction of Oliver Cromwell, in 1654, during the years when the monarchy was abolished.

About 1850, a rich eccentric, Baron John Miller added the upper turret to the corner of the Fort, with large window apertures. The turret is known locally as Miller's Folly.

Nowadays the Fort is overshadowed by modern apartments.

The seaward view from the Fort, with a replica Cannon.

After the restoration of the monarchy, the government retained the Fort and constructed the Churchill Barracks within part of the site in 1794. They were successively home to the 21st (Royal North British) Fusiliers, the Royal Scots Fusiliers and the Royal Highland Fusiliers before finally closing in 1965. The gateposts remain today although reduced in height but the plaque which explains this does not say whether they were cut down or whether the level of the surrounding ground has been raised.

Later in the day, rain, thunder and lightning closed in over much of the high ground in the southern uplands and to avoid this I flew home by a more westerly course than normal, which brought me over Dumfries. Ferintosh Guest House is down there, can you spot it?

[auld argonian]

Alex, do you ever sleep?

Not that we don't love the travelogues...the BBC should hire you...but I fully expect your next post to be from China or Tibet.

Seriously, though, we love the photos. Safe journeys.

Best

AA

[McMurdo]

Great photos as always Alex, thanks again.

[7 miles]

Thanks for those.

[BEEDEE]

Alex - I think we should petition to mods to chage your title from Kilted Pilot to Kilted Globetrotter.

Brian

[Freelancer]

Great pictures and always something new to learn...thanks!

[Hamish]

Photos and info. of your usual fine standard, Alex. I just do not know how you manage to get around so much - I am jealous! Although I've been retired for ten years and have no real commitments I seem to get away from Storrington only about three times a year!

See you on Sunday.

Take care,
Ham.

[Beertigger]

Ferintosh Guest House is down there, can you spot it?

I do believe I see Emma and Robertson walking the dogs....

[McClef]

All that travelling about - more great pics Alex!

[starbkjrus]

Very nice picutures Alex. It never ceases to amaze me how green it is there. Thank you.

Ferintosh Guest House is down there, can you spot it?

Well, I couldn't exactly see the house but I DID spot the railroad station and the Waverly Pub so I know where it should be.