Information Kirkoswald | Kirkoswald Project |
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Strategic overview and regeneration proposals Introduction: Get Made were brought on to the project team at a later stage to advise on and visualise lighting proposals. The study was commissioned in recognition of the significance of the Costley and Costley site within Kirkoswald and the need to consider the redevelopment of this site in a wider context. The study therefore investigates Kirkoswald at a strategic level to understand its qualities and where intervention is required or where opportunities to stimulate regeneration exist. From this strategic understanding, a series of proposals for intervention have been developed that cover the whole village and its wider setting. Within this wider framework, proposals for the Costley and Costley Inns site have been evolved that are key to realising the full potential of the village and benefiting the local community. Strategic overview:Culzean & Cassillis Estate: Kirkoswald also has a significant historical relationship with Culzean and Cassillis Estate. Culzean castle is the focus of the estate (originally the site of a 12th century tower and a late 16th century tower house, superceded by the Robert Adam designed castle built between 1777 and 1792). The castle lies approximately 2.5km to the north of Kirkoswald. The extensive estate (the core of which is now run by the National Trust for Scotland) extends over a wide area including much of the land surrounding Kirkoswald aswell as various properties in and around the village. The specific relationship with Kirkoswald historically was in the use of the old Kirk for worship by the staff of the castle. This is discussed further later in the document. Site location/overview: The study area encompasses the whole of the settlement of Kirkoswald and its wider setting - although there is particular focus on the proposed/current development site owned by Costley and Costley Inns Ltd. Kirkoswald is a small settlement, focused on the A77 approximately 6 KM west of Maybole. The village sits in a rural landscape setting and has an overall population (based on the 2001 census) of just less than 300 people. Historic overview: It is understood that Kirkoswald gets its name from Saint Oswald, who constructed a church following victory in a battle at this location (in 634 AD). The literal meaning of Kirkoswald is ‘the church of Oswald’. The current ruin of the old kirk is of the stone church built on the same site by the monks of Crossraguel Abbey in 1244. The early settlement developed focused around the old kirk and the original track that connected Ayr, Maybole and Girvan (the A77 follows broadly the same route). This route is evident in mapped information from circa 1745. Many of the key buildings that remain from this early development of the village date from the second half of the 18th century (for example: SouterJohnnie’s Cottage (built in 1785), the Parish Church (built in 1777), Glebe House (built in 1771). The current village is still generally compact, with only more extensive twentieth century expansion of the settlement to the east. The later expansion of the village and its current physical form are discussed later. Historic links and cultural significance: Early History: Saint Oswald & Crossraguel Abbey As outlined above, Kirkoswald has a history extending back to the 7th century AD and through the old kirk, Kirkoswald has an historic link to nearby Crossraguel Abbey (dating back to the 13th century). Robert the Bruce was christened at Crossraguel Abbey following his birth in 1274. The font was moved to the Old Kirkyard for safekeeping during the reformation period. Robert Burns: The 16 year old Robert Burns was schooled in Kirkoswald in the summer of 1775. Various characters in Burns’ writing were based on people he met during his time in the village. ‘Souter Johnnie’ (who appears in Tam O’Shanter) was based on John Davidson whose dwelling is commemorated. The poem ‘Kirkton Jean’ was based on Jean Kennedy who with her sister ran the public house in the village (known as Leddies House) adjacent to the Kirkyard (the current site of the public toilets). Burns’ maternal grandparents and great grandparents, his teacher Hugh Rodger, Douglas Graham, John Davidson and Jean Kennedy are all buried in the Old Kirkyard. Contents: acknowledgements: The report was prepared by erz Limited, in collaboration with Armour Construction Consultants, JS Architects and Get Made. |
erz Limited, Armour Construction Consultants and JS Architects were commissioned by the client group (Costley and Costley Inns, Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire and South Ayrshire Council) in November 2007.
