List of Ayrshire place-names beginning with 'M'
Machine Well
Auchinleck (AUK)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS573223
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 172m
Elements: SSE machine + SSE well
Description:
OSNB describes this as ‘A Spring well on the North Side of Auchinleck Burn near Dykes Row’.
Macoshton
Ochiltree (OCH), Stair (STA)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS438196
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 105m
Elements: pn MacCosh + Sc toun
Description:
In 1567 the 3 merklands of *Holemark, Brigmark # and Nether Stamley, all in Ochiltree parish, were occupied by eight tenants, one of whom was John MacCosh. The full list is (in Latin): Johannem Murdoche, Johannem Millar, Davidem Wallace, Thomam M'Ilvernok, Johannem Makcosche, Davidem Davidsoun, Jacobum Symountoun, Johannem Makcrie) (1567 RMS v no. 1135). According to Black. the ‘home of the name is in Ayrshire’ (1946 under MACCOSH). As Macoshton lies c.8km west of the lands John MacCosh occupied in 1567 it is perhaps unlikely that he himself is the eponym of Macoshton.
This is one of the relatively high number of names in and around Ochiltree parish which contain a personal name + Sc toun ‘farm’.
Macquittiston
Ochiltree (OCH)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS460192
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 135m
Elements: pn MacQuitty + Sc toun
Description:
This farm joins many others in the area, and particularly in Ochiltree parish, in being formed from a family name or surname, preceding the Scots word toun ‘farm, settlement’. A number of these family names are Gaelic in formation, like McCosh (MacCoise, in Gaelic); there are a larger number of -toun names in Carrick preceded by surnames in Mac-.
Having said this, MacQuittiston poses some interesting challenges. The surname is rare, though more common in Ireland, where it is associated with Co. Antrim particularly (see Muhr and Ó hAisibéil, The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names of Ireland, s.n. McQuitty). It would appear to be a Gaelicisation of the English name White/Whyte, as Mac Faoitigh or Mac an Fhaoitigh. Muhr and Ó hAisibéil note that ‘It is late as a surname, but seems to be used ... as a nickname in 1542’. In FaNBI, the main locations of the name in Britain are Cheshire and Ayrshire. The name is not mentioned in George Black’s Surnames of Scotland (1946).
A further interesting aspect of the name is that it appears to be recorded in the 1750s by Roy as Whitestown. This may suggest that the family associated with the name were, first, from Ireland (quite likely Co. Antrim), and second, that they retained (as many Irish people did in the early modern period) the sense of their surname in both Irish and English forms. It would seem likely that the family associated with this farm’s name must underlie the spread of the name McQuitty in Ayrshire more generally. Given the late formation of the surname itself, we might expect that this was in the 17th or even early 18th century.
RN
Magsbus Bog
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS654137
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 178m
Elements: pn Mag + Sc buss + Sc bog
Description:
The first part of this strange name is probably the personal name Mag (for Margaret) and Sc buss ‘a bush’. It refers to a very narrow strip of land end on to the north bank of the River Nith. The OS Name Book is no help with the interpretation of the name, describing it simply as: ‘A piece of unimproved meadow land, 10 chains East of Garepool’ (OS1/3/49/80).
Mahago Rig
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS663069
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 495m
Elements: pn Mohago + Sc rig
Description:
‘Ridge associated with a saint or holy man called Mohago’. The parallel with Lesmahagow, a large parish in Lanarkshire, is striking. There the saint in question is Féchin, prefixed by the saintly affectionate mo ‘my’. It is therefore likely that we are dealing here with the same saint’s name, and probably the same saint.
The upland and relatively remote situation of the ridge is best explained by the fact that it marks the boundary of an area in some way associated with the eponymous saint. Mahago Rig lies very near the boundary of Sanquar parish DMF, which is also the county boundary. The patron saint of Sanquhar would appear to be St Brigit (Saints in Scottish Place-Names - Sanquhar, parish DMF (gla.ac.uk), while that of Cumnock is St Conval. However, there could well have been a more localised chapel or other feature associated with Féchin.
The name is briefly discussed by Watson (1926, 200), but the early forms he gives, namely Monyhagane 1629 (Retours) and Minnihagan 1658 (Retours) are, as Robert Guthrie points out, of a now lost place in Coylton Parish some 15 miles to the west (Mahago Rig – NEW CUMNOCK HISTORY).
It is described in the OS Name Book as: ‘A ridge of Rough pasture land lying on the eastside of Blackcraig Hill’ (OS1/3/49/183).
RN
Maid Pits (Coal and Ironstone)
Auchinleck (AUK)
Classification: Other
Grid reference: NS585228
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 185m
Elements: SSE maid + SSE pit
Description:
The origin of the name is unclear. According to the OSNB (OS1/3/3/61): ‘the Northern pit is Ironstone the South one Coal’.
Mains Belt
Ochiltree (OCH)
Classification: Vegetation
Grid reference: NS512201
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 132m
Elements: en Mains + SSE belt
Description:
‘Belt’ here in the sense of a rectangular strip of trees (and in this case perhaps other vegetation), which ran up to the circular plantation of Mains Mount. This was present, but unnamed, on the OS 6 inch 1st edn, and remained as some sort of feature, perhaps without trees, up to the 1990s. It, and Mains Mount, are no longer extant.
The Mains in the name of this feature must refer to Ochiltree Mains (q.v.).
Mains Hill
Dalmellington (DAL)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS488060
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 278m
Elements: SSE mains + SSE hill
Mains Mount
Ochiltree (OCH)
Classification: Relief, Vegetation
Grid reference: NS512202
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 132m
Elements: en Mains + SSE mount
Description:
The ‘mount’ was a circular stand of trees (and perhaps other vegetation), up to which Mains Belt ran. This was present, but unnamed, on the OS 6 inch 1st edn, and remained as some sort of feature, perhaps without trees, up to the 1990s. It, and Mains Belt, are no longer extant.
The Mains in the name of this feature must refer to Ochiltree Mains (q.v.).
Mains Plantation
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Vegetation
Grid reference: NS604182
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 309m
Elements: en Borland Mains + SSE plantation
Description:
As the OS Name Book explains, Mains refers to the farm of Borland Mains: 'A Small plantation chiefly fir on the farm of Borland Mains Named as Supplied General Campbell Proprietor' (OS1/3/52/105).
Maneight
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS542096
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 317m
Elements: G meallan + G -ach
Description:
Although not immediately obvious, it would seem that Molynnach (1384) and Mulenach (1404) (RMS ii nos. 90, 89) represent Maneight . All the other names it is associated with are near each other dotted along the road from New Cumnock to Dalmellington. The only settlement missing from this cluster is Maneight. If this is indeed the case, then Maneight might be a reduced form of G meallan ‘a small lump-like hill’, a diminutive of the relatively common hill-name meall, while the final syllable is likely the place-name forming suffix -ach, so meaning ‘place at the little lumpy hill’.
However, if this is indeed the origin of Maneight, the stress would be expected on the first syllable, but today the stress is most definitely on the second syllable. This shift may perhaps be explained by way of the re-interpretation of the place-name as a surname in forms such as Mc. Knight or Macnaught (see below).
Confusingly, there is in the parish a Millaneoch Hill and Millaneoch Burn. However, these lie in the hills about 10km south-east of the cluster of names contained in the charter of 1427 (RMS ii no. 89), and it is therefore very unlikely that Mulenach refers to these.
The forms with Mc as the first element are puzzling. They may have been influenced by the local surname McNaught (see under Craigshiel NCU). In 1609 there is a John McNath, also spelled McNacht, at the mill of Cumnock (RPC viii, 325 ). Alternatively they may have arisen from the misreading of Ma as Mc in a written source, most likely a map.
Pronunciation: /mən'ext/
Maneight Hill
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS543087
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 425m
Elements: en Maneight + Sc hill
Manse
Auchinleck (AUK)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS551212
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 128m
Elements: SSE manse
Description:
As the name suggests, this was the manse for the parish kirk of Auchinleck; replacing the site subsequently known as ‘Old Manse’ (q.v.). Now named ‘The Stables’ and ‘Barony House’, the name ‘Manse’ has been perpetuated in Manse Glen (q.v.).
Writing in 1837 in The New Statistical Account (Ayrshire, p. 331), Rev. James Chrsytal stated: “The manse was built in the year 1756, and an addition made to it in 1796. A considerable repair was also made upon it, about seventeen years ago. […] The situation of it is beautiful, being close upon the demesne around Dumfries House, and commanding from the back a view of the house itself, and of a great part of the grounds and circumjacent country.”
Manse Glen
Auchinleck (AUK)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS551211
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 125m
Elements: en Manse + SSE glen
Description:
This wooded glen along the Auchinleck Burn lies just south of Manse.
Manse Well
Auchinleck (AUK)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS550213
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 134m
Elements: en Manse + SSE well
Description:
This well was recorded on the OS 6 inch 2nd edn on one of the approaches to the Manse of Auchinleck kirk.
RN
Mansfield
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS622143
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 186m
Elements: pn Mansfield
Description:
Between 1790 and 1792 the ‘lands and estate of Garrieve’ were acquired c.1790 by James Stirling, Lord Provost of Edinburgh. They were then renamed Mansfield after Stirling’s wife Alison Mansfield. See Mansfield – NEW CUMNOCK HISTORY for full details.
Mansfield Bridge
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Other
Grid reference: NS641144
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 216m
Elements: en Mansfield + SSE bridge
Description:
This road bridge spans the Linn Burn to the north of Mansfield House, north-east of Mansfield Mains and south-east of Hall of Mansfield.
Mansfield Burn
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS640147
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 224m
Elements: en Mansfield + Sc burn
Description:
Formerly known as Garrieve Burn, Garrieve being the former name of Mansfield.
Mansfield Colliery
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Other
Grid reference: NS643168
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 327m
Elements: en Mansfield + SSE colliery
Description:
Described in the OS Name Book (c.1856) as: ‘A Small Colliery occupied by Mr Robert Kerr the property of Sir J Menteith, Mansfield House’. One of the informants is Mr Robert Kerr himself, described as ‘occupier’ (OS1/3/49/57).
Mansfield Cottages
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS646145
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 221m
Elements: en Mansfield + SSE cottage
Mansfield House
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS642143
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 206m
Elements: en Mansfield + SSE house
Mansfield Linn
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS643149
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 258m
Elements: en Mansfield + Sc linn
Description:
‘Waterfall (Sc linn) on the Mansfield Burn’, a tributary of the Linn Burn, which takes its name from the same feature, as do the former farms of Upper Linn and Netherlinn.
Mansfield Mains
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS640142
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 211m
Elements: en Mansfield + SSE mains
Description:
'The mains farm or home-farm of Mansfield'. It was formerly *Over Garrieve, Garrieve being the earlier name of Mansfield.
March Bridge
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Other
Grid reference: NS669130
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 209m
Elements: SSE march + SSE bridge
Description:
‘A bridge at or near a march or boundary’. On the OS Map 6 inch 2nd edn this road bridge is shown spanning Park Burn close to the parish and county boundary between New Cumnock in Ayrshire and Kirkconnel in Dumfriesshire. It belongs to a cluster of March-names here, including the March Burn, which meanders back and forth across this boundary.
However, according to the New Cumnock History website March Bridge, pronounced locally Mairch Brig, spans the Nith a short distance to the north of the OS March Bridge. On the OS Explorer it is placed more ambiguously, but slightly closer to the Park Burn. For a discussion of all the March-names here, see under March Burn (1) – NEW CUMNOCK HISTORY.
March Burn
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS548124
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 231m
Elements: SSE march + SSE burn
Description:
‘A burn forming a march or boundary’. This burn, which was dead straight and had clearly been canalised, ‘forms a small part of the boundary between the lands of Craigman, on which Marchburns stands, and those of the neighbouring Burnston’ (MARCHBURN – NEW CUMNOCK HISTORY). It gave its name to the nearby settlement of Marchman, later Craigman. The whole area has been lost to opencast mining.
March Burn
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS665074
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 442m
Elements: SSE march + SSE burn
Description:
‘A burn forming a march or boundary’. This very small burn does not itself seem to form a boundary. However, it flows into the Bottom Burn at a point only c.400m from the parish and county boundary (New Cumnock AYR and Sanquhar DMF).
There are in all four burns in the parish called March Burn. On the New Cumnock History website, this is March Burn 4.
March Burn
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS627089
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 241m
Elements: SSE march + SSE burn
Description:
‘A burn forming a march or boundary’. A tributary of the Afton Water, it would seem that historically this burn formed the boundary between the lands of Lochbrowan to the north and Polloch to the south. See the New Cumnock History website for a detailed discussion of this, with photographs MARCH BURN (3) – NEW CUMNOCK HISTORY.
March Burn
Kirkconnel (KCL), New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS673132
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 178m
Elements: Sc march + Sc burn
Description:
‘Burn forming a march or boundary’. One of several March Burns in the parish, this one meanders back and forward across the parish and county boundary between New Cumnock AYR on the west and Kirkconnel DMF on the east. It has given rise to several march-names in the vicinity, all of which are discussed and pictured on the New Cumnock History website under March Burn (1) – NEW CUMNOCK HISTORY.
March Burn
Auchinleck (AUK)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS712195
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 340m
Elements: SSE march + SSE burn
Description:
Normally a burn with such a name represents the boundary between estates or parishes. It is not clear what boundary, if any, this burn forms, so the name may have another origin.
Marchburn
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS542124
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 233m
Elements: en March Burn
Description:
This takes its name from the nearby March Burn (NS548124), one of several March Burns in the parish. It is described in the OS Name Book (1857) as: ‘A sublet farm house - situate near a Waudmine - the property of the Marquis of Bute’ (OS1/3/49/29). Sc waud is graphite or black lead, and the mine is marked on the OS 6 inch 1st edn ‘Waud Mine Blacklead’ beside the settlement, along with two small Coal Pits. On the next edition of the OS 6 inch map the name Marchburn has gone, to be replaced by Craigman.
The whole area succumbed to a vast opencast coalmine in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. On the NCH website Bob Guthrie has some poignant and evocative pictures of the house (by this time called Craigman) deserted and teetering on the brink of an enormous crater. See MARCHBURN – NEW CUMNOCK HISTORY
Marchfoot
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS548115
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 234m
Elements: SSE march + SSE foot
Description:
‘The foot or end of a march or boundary’. The house of this name lies near the point where a small burn flows northwards into the River Nith. The name suggests that this burn, unnamed on OS maps, formed some kind of a boundary.
It is described in the OS Name Book simply as: ‘A small house with a sublet farm attached - situated east of Waterhead’ OS1/3/49/45.
Marchfoot and the whole of the surrounding area has been destroyed by opencast coalmining.
Mare Burn
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS662171
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 275m
Elements: SSE mare + SSE burn
Description:
‘A burn associated with mares’. It is described in the OS Name Book as follows: ‘A tributary of the Guelt Water has its source from sheep drains at the point (a) and flows from thence to the Guelt Water’ (OS1/3/52/116). ‘The point (a) refers to a mark on the original draft maps which the surveyors worked with.
Marshallmark
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS569106
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 243m
Elements: Sc marshall + Sc merk
Description:
‘Land valued at a merk associated with a marshall’. The Older Scots word mars(c)hal(l) etc. has a range of meanings, from ‘one who tends horses, a farrier’ to a high-ranking court or military official. Robert Guthrie is probably correct in his suggestion that it means ‘farrier, blacksmith’, the primary meaning given in the Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (DOST). See (MARSHALLMARK – NEW CUMNOCK HISTORY) for a detailed discussion. Certainly its position on the old road from New Cumnock to Dalmellington means it was well-placed to tend the horses of travellers. Guthrie also considers the personal name Marshall, but decides it is unlikely given the rarity of the name in the wider area. Furthermore, if it was a personal name, we would expect a genitive s in at least some of the forms, such as Marshallsmark.
*Marshallholm (Marchaleholme 1384 x 1427 RMS ii no. 90) is assumed to refer to Marshallmark, but taking its name from the extensive holm (water-meadow or haugh) along the Lane Burn which forms an integral part of the farm of Marshallmark. The fact that it is referred to as a farthingland might suggest that it did not include all the land of Marshallmark.
Martyr's Grave
Auchinleck (AUK)
Classification: Antiquity
Grid reference: NS642259
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 218m
Elements: SSE martyr + SSE grave
Description:
The site commemorates Richard Cameron, a covenanter leader who was killed at the Battle of Airds Moss, 20 July 1680, along with various of his companions. The New Statistical Account (Ayrshire, p. 325-6) says of the monument: “Near the head of Aird's Moss, is to be seen the monument erected to the memory of Richard Cameron, who was here overtaken and slain by the dragoons, on 20th July 1680. It consisted till lately of a flat stone with his own name, and the names of the other individuals who were slain along with him, inscribed upon it. A more conspicuous Memorial of his life and death was reared some years ago from the proceeds of a collection made at a Sermon delivered near the spot.” The form of the names is variably singular or plural, but several people are commemorated on the monument.
Martyr's Grave
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Other
Grid reference: NS570202
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 124m
Elements: SSE martyr + SSE grave
Description:
This stands in the cemetery on Barrhill Road, Cumnock. It was formerly the Gallows Hill where several Covenanters were executed. The cemetery grew up around their graves. For more details, see Places – Cemeteries – Cumnock History Group
It is a moot point as to whether this is a place-name or a description.
Martyr's Grave
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Other
Grid reference: NS592194
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 187m
Elements: SSE martyr + SSE grave
Description:
The OS Name Book (1857) gives full details: ‘Situated on the farm of Stonepark near to the farm steading. The following are the inscriptions on the stone West side. “Here lies John McGeahan who for his constant adherence to the word of God, prosecuting the ends of our national league and covenant, and appearing for the rescue of the Rev David [Houston] one of the persecuted Ministers of the gospel was shot at Bellow Path by a party of bloody dragoons 28th July 1688.”
East side. “This stone was erected by proceeds of a sermon preached by Rev [Reverend] Mr James Curie of Cathrine. 28th August 1836.”’ (OS1/3/52/52).
More details of McGeahan and his death can be found under Stonepark in Ploughing Up Our Past: Stonepark (farminginthecumnockarea.blogspot.com) (accessed 06 22).
It is a moot point as to whether this is a place-name or a description.
Martyrs' Grave
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Other
Grid reference: NS547146
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 363m
Elements: SSE martyr + SSE grave
Description:
The OS Name Book describes this as: 'A handsome monument erected over the graves of three Covenanters who were shot near the spot in 1685. It is enclosed by an Iron railing, together with the original gravestone, which is fixed on the south side of the monument. The following is the inscription on both: Here lies Joseph Wilson, John Jamieson and John Humphrey who was shot in this place by [a] party of Highlanders for their adherence to the word of God and the Covenanted work of reformation. 1685' (OS1/3/49/20). The identification of these three individuals remains far from straightforward, however, as discussed by Mark Jardine (https://drmarkjardine.wordpress.com/2014/02/26/mysterys-of-the-carsgailoch-covenanters-shot-in-1685/).
Martyrs' Moss
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Vegetation
Grid reference: NS520127
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 297m
Elements: SSE martyr + SSE moss
Description:
‘A moss or bog associated with martyrs’, in this case persecuted Covenanters. The OS Name Book writes: ‘A large Moss, where it is said the Covenanters used to take refuge’ (OS1/3/49/25). There is a small hollow in the moss called Whig Hole, a whig being in this context another word for a Covenanter.
Mayfield
Ochiltree (OCH)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS446204
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 100m
Elements: SSE may + SSE field or en Mayfield
Description:
A house adjacent to the former Free Church at Schaw Bridge. Mayfield is an extremely common name throughout Britain, and hence this house name may have been transferred from elsewhere. Equally, however, the name could have originated as a field name, perhaps from the field the house was built in. The border with Stair parish is immediately north of Mayfield, and as a result Schaw Bridge and other names there are not included here.
Mc. Clymont's Bridge
Dalmellington (DAL)
Classification: Other
Grid reference: NS478057
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 175m
Elements: pn McClymont + SSE bridge
Description:
An explanation of the name of this bridge is given at the end of a description of it in the OS Name Book for Dalmellington parish, as follows: 'A neat substantial Stone Bridge of one arch over the Muck Water on the Turnpike road from Ayr to Cairsphairn adjacent to the Village of Dalmellington the span of the arch is about 10 feet above the level of the River and level with the land It takes its name form the builder' (OS1/3/21/58).
Mc. Lure's Mill
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS631048
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 414m
Elements: pn McLure or McClure + SSE mill
Description:
‘A mill associated with a person called McLure’. At the time of the first OS (1850) the name applied to a small waterfall. Given its upland situtation, it is unlikely that there was ever a mill here, although Robert Guthrie, writing on the New Cumnock History website, thinks it may have referred to a mill for carding wool. However, I think it is more likely to have been applied figuratively, perhaps even humorously, to the feature described in the OS Name Book as: ‘A Small Cascade on the Afton near Castle William’ (OS1/3/49/195). It now lies beneath the damn constructed by the Afton Water Works for the Afton Reservoir, opened in 1935. The identity of McLure is unknown, but it was a local surname (also spelled McClure). See McLure’s Mill – NEW CUMNOCK HISTORY).
McCool's Craig
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS608087
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 305m
Elements: pn MacCool + Sc craig
Description:
‘A crag or rocky outcrop associated with Finn MacCool (Fionn mac Cumhail)’. This name may be taken in conjunction with Brans Knowe NCU (NS659119), 6 km (3.7 miles) to the north-east, which appears to commemorate Finn’s dog Bran. This would indicate that stories of this famous mythical warrior hero and his warrior-band the Fianna were known in the area and embedded in the landscape. See Brans Knowe for more discussion. For the huge corpus of Fionn and Fianna tales, see (see https://fionnfolklore.org/#/). According to this there is none recorded from Ayrshire. I think also there are no other Fionn-type place-names in the wider area.
The surveyors in the OS Name Book are unaware of the MacCool traditions: ‘A ledge of rocks in a ravine on Carcow Burn, derivation not known’ (OS1/3/49/171).
McCowans Knowe
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS561057
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 523m
Elements: pn McCowan + SSE knowe
Description:
‘A knowe or small hill associated with a man called McCowan’. The origin of the name is recounted in the OS Name Book (1850): ‘A hill situated south of Enoch Hill, named after a man called McCowan, who it is said was m[urdered] here. (The Statement of W Campbell)’ (OS1/3/49/145). We learn from the list of authorities for this name that W. Campbell was Walter Campbell of nearby Lochmeharb (written Lochmaharb).
The right-hand side of the entry has been partly lost in the fold at the spine, but it is almost certain that the word beginning with m is ‘murdered’. It is quite common for minor place-names containing personal names to be explained in terms of violent death. It is such a trope that, in the absence of corroborating evidence, we should take such stories with a pinch of salt.
Meadow
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS583178
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 180m
Elements: Sc meadow
Description:
It is quite unusual to find such a ubiquitous term such as meadow as the simplex name of a farm or settlement. It is likely to have started life as an area of good meadow-land (above all for hay-production) on a larger estate, perhaps Glaisnock.
Meadow Bank
Dalmellington (DAL)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS483056
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 202m
Elements: SSE meadow + SSE bank
Meadow Burn
Auchinleck (AUK)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS647191
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 226m
Elements: SSE meadow + SSE burn
Description:
This burn flows into the Guelt Water below Dalblair.
Meadow Burn
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS660178
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 256m
Elements: SSE meadow + SSE burn
Description:
'A burn that flows past or through a meadow, the meadown being where it joins the Guelt Water. There are two burns of this name in OCU. The other takes its name from the farm of Meadow OCU.
Meadow Burn
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS576180
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 151m
Elements: en Meadow + SSE burn
Description:
It takes its name from the farm of Meadow NS583178.
There are two burns of this name in OCU. The other one flows into the Guelt Water at NS660178.
This could be Skilingtoun b on Blaeu (1654) (where b = burn), taking its name from nearby Skerrington.
Meadow Burn
Auchinleck (AUK)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS672196
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 265m
Elements: SSE meadow + SSE burn
Description:
This burn flows into the Glenmore Water near High Dalblair.
Meadow Cottage
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS585177
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 182m
Elements: en Meadow + SSE cottage
Description:
This takes its name from the nearby settlement of Meadow.
Meetinghouse Br.
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Other
Grid reference: NS566200
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 109m
Elements: SSE meeting house + Sc brig
Description:
This was also known as the Dub Brig or the New Brig. It takes its name from a Meeting House beside it. The Meeting House was a place of Christian worship superseded by the church known as the Box Church, built in 1831.
For more details see Ex US-UP-West UF - West Parish Church - Old Cumnock, Strathclyde - Places of Worship in Scotland | SCHR (scottishchurches.org.uk)
The bridge is described as follows on the Cumnock History Group website under: 'Spans the Glaisnock Water at the Dub where the Glaisnock and the Lugar Waters meet. The original old stone brig had two spans and was about a third of the width of the present bridge. Widened in 1963 as part of the Tanyard demolition, some parts of the old brig still remain on the Dub side if you look closely enough. New Bridge Street took its name from it.' http://www.cumnockhistorygroup.org/places-brigs.html
Meikle Auchengibbert
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS598191
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 222m
Elements: Sc meikle + en Auchengibbert
Meikle Auchingilsie
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS550162
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 287m
Elements: Sc meikle + en Auchingilshie
Meikle Craigwaughton
Dalmellington (DAL)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS501027
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 328m
Meikle Creoch
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS601139
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 185m
Elements: Sc meikle + en Creoch
Description:
‘Big Creoch’, a division of the lands of Creoch, the other division being the reciprocally named Little Creoch. On the Blaeu map of 1654 Meikle Creoch was *Nether Creoch, while Little Creoch was *Over Creoch’, distinguished not by relative size but by relative height.
Meikle Garclaugh
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS648143
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 220m
Elements: Sc meikle + en Garclaugh
Description:
‘Big Garclaugh’ contrasting with Little Garclaugh. It was earlier Over Garclaugh contrasting with Nether Garclaugh, later Little Garclaugh.
Meikle Hill
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS530076
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 416m
Elements: Sc meikle + Sc hill
Description:
‘Big hill’. It has given its name to the settlement at the foot of its northern slope. There is another Meikle Hill further to the east near Glen Afton (NS612076).
Meikle Hill
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS612076
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 451m
Elements: Sc meikle + Sc hill
Description:
‘Big hill’. There is another Meikle Hill in the parish further to the west, near the New Cumnock/Dalmellington parish boundary.
Meikle Westland
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS652132
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 205m
Elements: Sc meikle + en Waistland
Description:
'Big Waistland'. Waistland was earlier Westland, q.v. Meikle Westland was formerly simply Waistland/Westland.
Meikledodd Burn
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS650031
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 480m
Elements: en Meikledodd + SSE burn
Description:
A burn associated with Meikledodd Hill.
Meikledodd Hill
Dalry (DAY), New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS659029
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 626m
Elements: Sc meikle + Sc dod + Sc hill
Description:
‘A big rounded hill’. It is named in contrast to the smaller neighbouring Littledodd Hill.
Meiklehill
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS534088
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 291m
Elements: en Meikle Hill
Description:
It takes its name from nearby Meikle Hill (NS530076). There is another Meikle Hill further to the east near Glen Afton (NS612076).
Meikleholm Bridge (Wood)
Dalmellington (DAL), Straiton (STT)
Classification: Other
Grid reference: NS425093
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 158m
Elements: en Meikleholm + SSE bridge
Description:
At the time of the OS 6 inch 1st edn map (published in 1860), this was a wooden bridge which crossed over the River Doon. As such it also crossed the parish boundary between the parishes of Dalmellington and Straiton. It took its name from the settlement of Meikleholm STT.
The OS Name Book for Dalmellington parish describes the bridge as: 'A small private wooden bridge in indifferent repair built over the Water of Doon and leading to the farmsteading of Meikleholm in Straiton parish' (OS1/3/21/24). A very similar entry can be found in the OS Name Book for Straiton parish (at OS1/3/59/19).
Merkland
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS659139
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 199m
Elements: Sc merk + Sc land
Description:
‘Land originally valued at one merk or mark’, i.e. two-thirds of a pound.
RN
Merkland Burn
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS659135
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 178m
Elements: en Merkland + SSE burn
Merkland Wood
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Vegetation
Grid reference: NS663137
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 186m
Elements: en Merkland + SSE wood
Merlin Loch
Auchinleck (AUK)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS547221
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 156m
Elements: en Merlin + SSE loch
Description:
According to the OSNB: ‘The Space Known by the name Supplied is a portion of Arable land flooded in winter for the purpose of Curling and other Amusements on Ice’ (OS1/3/3/49). This suggests that, in terms of the sequence of names with ‘Merlin’ in them, this name is not primary, but rather has come from the nearby farm of Merlinhill (q.v.). While both the farm and the loch have disappeared, the name has survived in The Merlin, the playing fields and garage on the other side of the railway line, the official name of which is Merlin Loch Park.
Merlinhill
Auchinleck (AUK)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS548218
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 155m
Elements: SSE merlin + SSE hill or Sc merlyeoun + Sc hall
Description:
Analysis of this name is made complicated by the various forms it takes. The name Merlinhill suits its situation on what was also called Hill of Auchinleck (see The Correspondence, App. 1, p. 217); but other forms suggest an underlying Muirland (Roy); or that the second element was -hall, rather than -hill. If the first element is in fact merlin rather than muirland, it probably refers to the small bird of prey, rather than the character of Arthurian legend. If the original name was Merlinhall, the name would bear comparison with the many other names in -hall in Scotland which evoke birds (Larkhall, etc.), and perhaps have an ironic connotation.
According to The Correspondence, App. 1, p. 218, ‘Merlinhall was let to John Hinchan and Robert Steele in Auchinleck village in 1786 and to Mungo Reid in High Park in 1787.’ The same source notes on p.217: ‘Hill of Auchinleck or Affleckhill, had several divisions, including Merlinhall and parks beside the village’, and inter alia note forms of the name in Merland, citing various documents from the Boswell papers. It appears simply as ‘Merlin’ in some of the Boswell correspondence, for instance in a letter from James Boswell to Andrew Gibb, 30 Dec 1790, he writes ‘Mungo Reid’s offer for Midpark of Merlin was not accepted.’ (The Correspondence, p. 134).
It should be noted that Hillhead/hillhead is written twice on Roy – the former seems to be an alternative name of Muir Land while latter refers to a small settlement south of Muir Land. The latter is presumably correct. Note OS 6 inch 1st edn Hill Cottage n.w. of Merlinhill.
Dane Love (2015, 153) notes that: ‘In 1894 Wm Baird & Co. began work in constructing the new Highhouse Pit. ... The site chosen for the pit was Merlinhill farm, which was demolished, and six fields were taken over for the surface buildings and the spoil heap’.
Nearby Merlin Loch should be noted, shown on the OS 6 inch 1st edn of 1860 at NS 546221, but gone by the time of the 2nd edition. While both the farm and the loch have disappeared, the name has survived in The Merlin, the playing fields and garage on the other side of the railway line, on the site of the former loch (officially ‘Merlin Loch Park’).
RN
Merry Clints
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS639072
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 476m
Elements: Sc merry (1) + Sc clint
Description:
‘A crag or cliff associated with a bog’? It is described in the OS Name Book as: ‘Part of the range of rocks on the west side of Black Craig, stretching north and north east from Spout Burn to Gray burn’ (OS1/3/49/186).
Mid Barbeth
Ochiltree (OCH), Stair (STA)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS443195
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 108m
Elements: SSE mid + en Barbeth
Description:
For an account of the various divisions of Barbeth, see the main listing.
Mid Burn
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS678166
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 305m
Elements: SSE mid + SSE burn
Description:
‘Middle burn; burn between two burns’. A tributary of Guelt Water. It is not clear why it should be so called.
‘A small burn uniting with Sunny Syke before entering the Guelt Water’ (OS1/3/49/61).
There is another Mid Burn in New Cumnock parish, a tributary of the River Nith.
Mid Burn
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS665135
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 178m
Elements: SSE mid + SSE burn
Description:
‘Middle burn; burn between two burns’. It flows between Barscalloch Burn to the west and Duncan’s Burn to the east.
‘A burn formed by the junction of Bull's Burn with Spout Burn, at about 1 chain west of Corsoncone farm house, and flowing thence southwards into the river Nith’ (OS1/3/49/88).
There is another Mid Burn in New Cumnock parish, a tributary of the the Guelt Water.
Mid Changue
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS556190
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 181m
Elements: SSE mid + en Changue
Mid Hill
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS513123
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 315m
Elements: SSE mid + SSE hill
Description:
‘A hill lying between two other hills’. It is described in the OS Name Book as: ‘A slight elevation of moor land on Beoch farm’ (OS1/3/49/21). There can be little doubt that there is reciprocal naming between Mid Hill and neighbouring Over Hill to the south-west, on the same piece of elevated moorland as Mid Hill. As Robert Guthrie points out, Mid Hill lies roughly between Over Hill and Loch Rigg to the north-east on the other side of Martyr’s Moss, described in the OS Name Book as: ‘A ridge of moor land on the North side of Martyrs Moss’ (Mid Hill and Midhill Stell – NEW CUMNOCK HISTORY).
Mid Rig
Auchinleck (AUK)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS662186
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 304m
Elements: Sc mid + Sc rig
Description:
Described in the OSNB of 1855-57 (OS1/3/3/150) as: “A elevated ridge of ground between Cruive Burn & Porters Burn extending from Whiteholm to the Base of Benalt”.
Midhill Stell
New Cumnock (NCU), Ochiltree (OCH)
Classification: Other
Grid reference: NS511128
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 284m
Elements: en Mid Hill + Sc stell
Description:
‘A sheepfold or sheep shelter beside Mid Hill’. A stell is usually round and stone-built, which is the case here. It lies right on the boundary between the parishes of Ochiltree and New Cumnock. It is described in the OS Name Book as: ‘A Sheepfold on the Parish Boundary adjoining Ochiltree and near Midhill’ (OS1/3/49/84).
Midton
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS596176
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 244m
Elements: Sc mid + Sc toun
Description:
‘Middle farm’. Usually a settlement so named is a division of a larger, earlier unit of land, with reference to its position in between other divisions, these often having the specific or affix nether, over, wester, easter etc. It would appear to be a division of the lands of Borland, other divisions of which are Netherton and Watston OCU.
On Roy's map (c.1750) Borlandhead is in this area.
Midton Belt
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Vegetation
Grid reference: NS593180
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 235m
Elements: en Midton + SSE belt
Mill Affleck
Auchinleck (AUK)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS520209
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 86m
Elements: SSE mill + SSE of + en Auchinleck
Description:
The Correspondence, App. 1 (p. 218) notes ‘Mill of Auchinleck’ among the rented lands of the Barony of Auchinleck, noting that it ‘included Ballanshill, Shawtrees, and Strandhead’, and ‘was let to George Samson (1705-80), who died 'an old frail man', and to William Samson in 1782 and 1796.’
Mill Bridge
Ochiltree (OCH)
Classification: Other
Grid reference: NS510213
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 88m
Elements: en (Ochiltree) Mill + SSE bridge
Description:
Situated at the eastern end of Ochiltree, the bridge is named on the OS 6 inch 2nd edn map. It is shown crossing a mill lade leading from Ochiltree Mill, now Mill House.
Mill House
Ochiltree (OCH)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS507215
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 85m
Elements: SSE mill + SSE house
Description:
Originally Ochiltree Mill, the present mill appears to have been built in the early 19th century, and rebuilt in 1859, but there are records of a mill there previously (Love 2021, 223-4). A 1509 record mentions ‘the two mills of Ochiltree’ (RMS ii no. 3331).
Mill O' Shiel
Ochiltree (OCH), Stair (STA)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS437178
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 96m
Elements: Sc miln + Sc of + en Shield
Description:
This mill by the banks of the Water of Coyle may have been attached proprietorially to the prominent farm of Shield in Ochiltree. It was apparently a corn mill, fed by a lade flowing from the Taiglum Burn and emptying into the Water of Coyle.
Mill Street
Ochiltree (OCH)
Classification: Other
Grid reference: NS508212
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 94m
Elements: SSE mill + SSE street
Description:
This street in Ochiltree leads towards Mill Bridge, near where two mills on the Lugar existed in the 19th century.
Millaneoch
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference:
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 0m
Millaneoch Burn
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS618030
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 462m
Elements: en Millaneoch + SSE burn
Millaneoch Hill
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS627020
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 604m
Elements: en Millaneoch + SSE hill
Miller's Bank
Dalmellington (DAL)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS485058
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 220m
Millstone Knowe
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS647169
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 336m
Elements: Sc millstane + Sc knowe
Description:
‘A hill or knowe associated with the stone used as millstones’. Note that in its earliest form it is called a hill, later a knowe. The OS Name Book in its description makes no mention of millstones.
Millstone Moss
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Vegetation
Grid reference: NS651166
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 351m
Elements: en Millstone (Knowe) + SSE moss
Description:
It is assumed that this moss takes its name from nearby Millstone Knowe. The OS Name Book in its description makes no mention of millstones.
Milray Hill
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS591056
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 520m
Elements: G maol + G rèidh + SSE hill
Description:
‘Large rounded smooth hill’? G maol (literally ‘bald one’) refers to a bare rounded hill, while G rèidh means ‘level’ or ‘smooth’.
It is described in the OS Name Book as: ‘A hill of considerable elevation bearing Sheep pasture. It is Situated South of Carcow’ (OS1/3/49/180).
Milton
Dalmellington (DAL)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS416108
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 165m
Elements: Sc miln + Sc toun
Milton
Dalmellington (DAL)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS488064
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 223m
Elements: Sc miln + Sc toun
Milzeoch
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS548171
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 249m
Description:
This looks very like a Gaelic name with the palatal l rendered in Scots spelling as lz, where the z is the letter yogh, pronounced y. This explains the local pronunciation Milljoch /ˈmɪljəx/. The Gaelic word or words underlying this name are obscure.
Stress on first syllable; z = y.
Minnivey
Dalmellington (DAL)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS462073
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 192m
Minnivey Cottage
Dalmellington (DAL)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS461070
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 181m
Elements: en Minnivey + SSE cottage
Mitchell's Sike
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS526114
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 254m
Elements: pn Mitchel + Sc syke
Description:
‘A sluggish stream associated with a man or family called Mitchell’. Robert Guthrie writes: ‘Mitchell’s Sike flows into the Beoch Lane which then flows to meet the Nith passing the original property of (Old) Craigman. In the early 17th century Daniel Mitchell of Craigman married Marion Cathcart the daughter of Allan Cathcart of nearby Waterhead Castle. Was Mitchell’s Sike a boundary of the Mitchell land?’ (Mitchell’s Sike – NEW CUMNOCK HISTORY). This could well be the case, since in medieval and early modern charters a syke is often found as a boundary marker (DOST).
Moat Knowe
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS586121
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 201m
Elements: Sc mote or Sc moot + Sc knowe
Description:
‘An (artifical) mound’? ‘A moot hill’? If the latter, it contains Sc moot, mute ’a formal meeting or assembly … to discuss and transact official business’ (DOST). This lies on the lands of Lanemark, near the farm-steading. For a lengthy discussion of this and Mote Knowe on the lands of Creoch NCU, see Moat Knowes, Moat Moss – NEW CUMNOCK HISTORY.
It is described in the OS Name Book as: ‘A Small round hill on Lanemark farm - derivation unknown’ (OS1/3/49/36).
Moat Moss
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Vegetation
Grid reference: NS596139
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 198m
Elements: en Moat (Knowe) + SSE moss
Monquhill
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS590067
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 390m
Elements: G mòine + G cùil or G cùl
Description:
'Moss or bog of the nook or corner?' (G cùil);'moss or bog at the back?' (G cùl). First appearing in the record as the name of a burn, Monquhill Burn, by the time of the OS 6 inch 2nd edition it had replaced the settlement-name Carcow, past which the Monquhill Burn flows.
Monquhill Burn
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS590067
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 390m
Elements: en Monquhill + SSE burn
Description:
See under Monquhill for more details. It is described in the OS Name Book as: ‘A Small burn rising in a hill west of Carcow, near which place it enters Carcow Burn’ (OS1/3/49/181).
Montraw
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS638038
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 428m
Elements: G monadh + G crò
Description:
'Hill or upland grazing characterised by pens or folds for cattle or sheep?’ The first element is presumably G monadh ‘a hill, a muir (rough grazing)’. The second element is more problematic as it is not even clear what the initial letter is. However, the frequently appearing medial consonant cluster -qu(h)r-, -whr- probably represents lenited cr i.e. -chr-. Hence the suggestion that it was originally G crò (with probable Old Gaelic variant cra), ‘a sty, stall, pen, fold’. Robert Guthrie analysed the second element as probably beginning with r, suggesting the word in question was G riabhach ‘brindled, striped, variegated’ or G ruadh ‘red’. Even if the initial consonant was originally r, unlikely in itself, none of the forms we have supports either of these suggestions. His third suggestion, that it represents G airbhe (f.), ‘fence, dividing wall’, in the form na h-airbhe ‘of the fence etc.’, is also unsustainable, since, as he himself points out, the stressed air- survives as ar- in names in which this element is more certainly present e.g. Cornharrow KCB, for which see Place-Names of the Galloway Glens (glasgow.ac.uk).
Montraw is now a ruin beside Afton Reservoir, it has been deserted at least since the 1930s. For photographs and discussion, see Montraw, Montraw Burn – NEW CUMNOCK HISTORY. This includes the tale of a ‘startling incident’ which occurred at Montraw during Covenanting times (17th century), as told by Rev. Robert Simpson in Martyrland or the Perils of Persecution (Strathaven 1896).
Montraw Burn
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS638036
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 413m
Elements: en Montraw + SSE burn
Description:
The burn flows past the old farmsteading of Montraw. For a good photograph of its course from Meikledodd Hill to the Afton Reservoir, see Montraw, Montraw Burn – NEW CUMNOCK HISTORY.
The above NGR is of where the burn flows into the Afton Reservoir. Before its construction the burn joined the Afton Water at NS636036.
Moss Bridge
Ochiltree (OCH)
Classification: Other
Grid reference: NS491200
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 129m
Elements: SSE moss + SSE bridge
Description:
A bridge supporting a minor road to the north-west of Holehouse. It crosses over a stream flowing into the Burnock Water.
To the south of the bridge, the OS Explorer map shows the symbol for 'marsh, reeds or saltings'. It is likely that the element moss refers to the type of vegetation in the area surrounding the bridge.
Mossback
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS626162
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 269m
Elements: SSE moss + SSE back
Description:
‘(Settlement at the) back of a moss’. As Robert Guthrie suggest, Blaeu’s Moshouse (1654), if it does not refer to exactly the settlement later known as Mossback, certainly referred to the same moss (mossback – NEW CUMNOCK HISTORY), which see for more details including photographs of the ruins of Mossback and its immediate environment.
There is another Mossback in Old Cumnock parish (NS555174).
Mossback
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS555174
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 218m
Elements: SSE moss + SSE back
Description:
‘A settlement lying at the back of a moss’. This name forms a pair with Mossend, a small farm now gone lying a short distance to the east on the other side of the burn called Carsgailach Runner.
There is another Mossback in New Cumnock.
Mossback Bridge
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Other
Grid reference: NS554172
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 224m
Elements: en Mossback + SSE bridge
Description:
This road bridge spans Carsgailoch Runner to the south of Mossback, from which it takes its name.
A ford is shown at this point on the OS 6 inch 1st edn map.
Mossdale
Dalmellington (DAL)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS493041
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 223m
Mossdale Bridge
Dalmellington (DAL)
Classification: Other
Grid reference: NS493041
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 224m
Elements: en Mossdale + SSE bridge
Description:
The bridge carries the main road (A713) from Dalmellington to Carsphairn over Mossdale Burn beside the settlement of Mossdale.
Mossdale Burn
Dalmellington (DAL)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS492040
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 261m
Elements: en Mossdale + Sc burn
Mossdale Craig
Dalmellington (DAL)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS498036
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 321m
Elements: en Mossdale + Sc craig
Mossend
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS557174
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 215m
Elements: SSE moss + SSE end
Description:
‘Settlement at the end of a moss’, presumably the same moss as that referred to in the nearby name Mossback OCU.
Mosshouse
Auchinleck (AUK)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS602222
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 182m
Elements: SSE moss + SSE house
Description:
The Correspondence, App. 1 (218), lists Mosshouse among the rented lands of the Barony of Auchinleck: ‘Mosshouse or Clewmoss was let to Thomas Pearson in 1782 and 1790 and to Janet Vallance, his widow, in 1794 and 1797.’ The variant name ‘Clewmoss’ is presumably found among the sources trhey cite, but we have not otherwise encountered it.
Mosshouse was heavily encroached on by the railways, now disused, which arose to service the various extractive industries in the 19th century.
Mosshouse
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS562156
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 288m
Elements: SSE moss + SSE house
Description:
A house associated with a moss’. The moss in the name is Glaisnock Moss.
Mosshouse Bridge
Auchinleck (AUK)
Classification: Other
Grid reference: NS602224
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 180m
Elements: en Mosshouse + SSE bridge
Description:
The bridge carries the road from the former settlement of Mosshouse, from which it takes its name, to Birnieknowe. It spans Bellow Water.
Mosshouse Pit (Ironstone)
Auchinleck (AUK)
Classification: Other
Grid reference: NS603222
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 182m
Elements: en Mosshouse + SSE pit
Mosshouse Pit (Ironstone)
Auchinleck (AUK)
Classification: Other
Grid reference: NS608225
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 196m
Elements: en Mosshouse + SSE pit
Mosshouse Square
Auchinleck (AUK)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS603221
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 183m
Elements: en Mosshouse + SSE square
Mosside
Auchinleck (AUK)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS517226
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 131m
Elements: SSE moss + SSE side
Mossmark of Oldmill
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS616133
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 189m
Elements: Sc moss + Sc merk + SSE of + SSE old + SSE mill
Description:
‘A moss or bog valued at one merk, attached to the old mill (of New Cumnock)’?
Mote Braes
Dalmellington (DAL)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS484058
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 186m
Mote Cottages
Ochiltree (OCH)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS490205
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 146m
Elements: en Mote OCH + SSE cottage
Description:
See under Mote Toll OCH.
Mote Hill
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Antiquity, Relief
Grid reference: NS576207
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 132m
Elements: Sc mote + Sc hill
Description:
Sc mote (also spelled moat) can refer to several features, such as a natural or man-made mound or hillock or embankment' (CSD2). It can also refer to the mounds of medieval fortified sites known as mottes in English - the mound part of the complex known as a motte-and-bailey. It is not always clear in place-names whether this or the Sc mut(e) ‘formal meeting or assembly’ is involved, since judicial assemblies were frequently held on hillocks or mounds. It is this judicial aspect which is mentioned in the OS Name Book description: ‘ A portion of rough ground and Underwood adjoining to and Stretching north easterly from Viaduct nearly surrounded by the Lugar Water. Tradition points out this place where Justice was administered in the days of Baronial Sway. I find the following in an old Gazetteer "Near the Village are the remains of a Mo{at} or Court field nearly surrounded by the Lugar Water”’ (OS1/3/52/14).
‘There has been no full archaeological investigation of the site, although a watching brief was held in 1999 and stone setting was recorded near the summit of the hill but was not further investigated’ (Canmore ID43597).
Mote Knowe
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS597138
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 187m
Elements: Sc mote or Sc moot + Sc knowe
Description:
‘A moot hill’? ‘an (artifical) mound’? If the former, it contains a form of Sc mute, moot’ a formal meeting or assembly … the discuss and transact official business’ (DOST). It is a small, natural outcrop of grass-covered rock and lies on the lands of Creoch. For a lengthy discussion, with photographs, of this and Moat Knowe on the lands of Lanemark NCU, see Moat Knowes, Moat Moss – NEW CUMNOCK HISTORY.
Under Moat Knowe (the form given by all informants) the OS Name Book has: ‘A small natural Knoll near the River Nith. The cause of its being called by the name is unknown’ (OS1/3/49/64).
Mote Toll
Ochiltree (OCH)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS490205
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 146m
Elements: Sc mote + SSE toll
Description:
Sc mote 'a natural or man-made mound or hillock'. The feature which gave rise to the name is described as follows in the OS Name Book c.1858 under Mote T. P. (now Mote Toll): ‘One Storey high Slated & in good repair. Property of the Road Trustees. Name derived from a Small Knoll adjacent to it, (now removed) but whether natural or artificial cannot be ascertained. Full rates payable’ (OS1/3/51/1/20). Love (2021, 19) writes: ‘The Mote or Moat Toll is named after another motte hill that existed at one time. Speaking in 1890, James R. Wilson recalled that part of the moat hill was removed when he was a boy at school, the material used for road metal.’ He further notes that in 1838, at Mote Hill, and in the surrounding area, Bronze Age and other prehistoric remains were uncovered (Love 2021, 14-15).
Motte
Dalmellington (DAL)
Classification: Antiquity
Grid reference: NS481058
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 189m
Mount
Auchinleck (AUK)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS527228
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 145m
Elements: SSE mount
Description:
It is not clear that the first two historic forms both belong to the same feature, though they were both in the same vicinity. There are a number of mounts near here, each of which might possibly have originally been called by these names (Thirdpart Mount, Treeshill Mount). The Correspondence, App. 1 (pp. 218-19) clearly thinks of Mount as a farm, listing it as a medium-sized property among the rented lands of the Barony of Auchinleck: ‘MOUNT(M), Mount Huly or Little Knaigshill, was let to William Alexander (1706–1786), to James Templeton in Knaigshill for grazing in 1791, and to James Morton in 1796.’ In 1791, James Boswell wrote to his overseer Andrew Gibb, ‘Let Templeton in Knaigshill have the grass of the Mount at the old rent.’ The name seems to have disappeared, however; OS maps do not show Mount or Little Knaigshill.
The Correspondence editors list Mount James as a separate feature from Mount (p.219): ‘Mount James was located near Treeshill.’ This is on the basis of a letter from James Bruce to James Boswell: ‘This winter that plantation west of Mount James is carrying from the Kirkroad road, toward the Miln.’ It is not clear that this is, in fact, a separate feature from Mount Hully / Mount, as it seems to be in much the same location; that said, this could be the original name of Treeshill Mount (q.v.).
As far as the names are concerned, Mount Hully takes its place alongside other examples of this name, usually rendered as Mounthoolie, or similar, as in this example from Fife: https://fife-placenames.glasgow.ac.uk/placename/?id=732 where the name is taken to be an injunction: ‘Climb gently or cautiously!’
It may be that Mount James was named for James Boswell himself. The Correspondence p.2 n.10 notes that Boswell ‘had a particular fondness for Mount James, which, as he wrote, “I had planted with my own money in 175–”’ (citing Boswell’s journal of 1778).
Mountallan
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS539200
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 126m
Elements: SSE mount + pn Allan
Description:
This is one of a series of artificial circular mounts or mounds which were planted with trees to provide focal points in the landscape on the Dumfries House Estate. These were in existence before the completion of Dumfries House in 1759 (Green 2019, 116).
Allan is a personal name and is presumably someone associated with Dumfries House. It is not clear whether it is the male forename or the surname.
Mounthope
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS636151
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 259m
Elements: SSE mount + SSE hope
Description:
A modern coining, possibly applied ironically. It is described in the OS Name Book (1857) simply as ‘a small cottage house’ (OS1/3/49/57).
Muck Burn
Carsphairn (CPH), Dalmellington (DAL)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NX509992
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 214m
Muck Water
Dalmellington (DAL)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS459064
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 160m
Muckle Eriff
Dalmellington (DAL)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS492006
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 248m
Muckle Eriff Hill
Dalmellington (DAL)
Classification: Relief
Grid reference: NS488010
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 316m
Muir Plantation
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Vegetation
Grid reference: NS525163
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 239m
Elements: en Muir + SSE plantation
Description:
This lay on the lands of Muir farm. It is no longer there because of opencast coal mining.
Muir, The
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS521167
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 224m
Elements: Sc the + Sc muir
Description:
‘Muir, uncultivated pasture, rough grazing land’. Muirs were often held in common. As this now refers to a farm, it can be assumed that it was created on such land.
The definite article does not appear on maps until the later 20th century. However, it almost certainly reflects much earlier usage.
(The) Muir is closely associated with the farm of Littlemuir (see under Muir in Ploughing Up Our Past – Blog – Cumnock History Group accessed 05 2022). In 1798 Andrew Mackie farmed in Littlemuir & Bowton (Farm Horse Tax E326/10/1/221); while Johnson’s 1828 map shows Little Muir instead of Muir.
A large swathe of land here has been severely impacted by opencast.
Two plantations at the northern edge of the lands of Muir are called Low Muir Plantation.
Muirdyke
Old Cumnock (OCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS561166
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 257m
Elements: Sc muir + Sc dyke
Description:
‘A ditch or wall in or by a muir’, where muir is a stretch of rough or upland grazing. Sc dyke formerly meant 'a ditch’, in later Scots ‘a wall’.
Muirfoot
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS623141
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 181m
Elements: Sc muir + Sc fit
Description:
‘(Settlement at the) foot or lower edge of a muir or moor’. As Robert Guthrie writes on the New Cumnock History website: ‘The muir in question is the land in which the Muirfoot Burn rises and flows through ,,, , with Lowesmuir to the west and Roughside to the east; both names reflecting the quaility of the land’ (MUIRFOOT – NEW CUMNOCK HISTORY). Several photographs on this url vividly show the nature of this land. Given that the settlement of Muirfoot does not lie near this upland muir but on relatively good agricultural land near where the Muirfoot Burn flows into the Nith, it is worth considering that the settlement was originally named after the burn, thus it was originally Muirfootburn. In fact, Muirfootburn does occur as the name of one of the settlements associated with Muirfoot around 1830. For more details of this and other aspects of Muirfoot, see MUIRFOOT – NEW CUMNOCK HISTORY).
There is another twist to the interpretation of this name. Muirfoot Burn, also known as Polquheys Burn, forms the eastern boundary of the lands of Polquheys. The first element of this name is G poll ‘a burn’, the burn in question doubtless the Muirfoot Burn. As proposed under Polquheys, the second element may be G cas ‘a foot or leg’. Might there be a semantic connection between Polquheys and Muirfoot, perhaps a reference to a feature on the burn which resembled a foot or leg?
Muirfoot Br.
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Other
Grid reference: NS622143
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 186m
Elements: en Muirfoot + SSE bridge
Muirfoot Burn
New Cumnock (NCU)
Classification: Water
Grid reference: NS624140
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 181m
Elements: en Muirfoot + SSE burn
Description:
The burn flows past the settlement of Muirfoot near where it enters the River Nith. For the suggestion that Muirfoot was named from the burn.
In the OS Name Book it is described as follows: ‘‘A Stream formed by the union of Cameronsyke Burn and others, and flowing in a S.W. [South West] direction by Mossback, it divides the farms Polquheys and Roughside and falls into the Nith South of Mansfield.’ One of the informants, however, Mr Alexander Sloan of Polquheys, gives the name of this burn as ‘Polqueys or Rough Burn’ (OS1/3/49/135). This is a good example of how a burn, even a relatively small one, can have different names according to the name-users perspective. Rough Burn is presumably a shortened form of Roughside Burn. The burn is referred to in the OS Name Book entry for Grain Burn simply as Polqueys Burn (OS1/3/49/56).
As mentioned under Muirfoot and Polquheys, the Muirfoot Burn is the burn referred to in the name Polquheys, G poll ‘a burn’, the second element possibly G cas ‘a foot, leg’.
Muirkirk Junction
Auchinleck (AUK)
Classification: Other
Grid reference: NS553219
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 156m
Elements: en Muirkirk + SSE junction
Description:
A no-longer extant railway junction near Auchinleck.
Muirston
Ochiltree (OCH)
Classification: Settlement
Grid reference: NS467161
Certainty: 1
Altitude: 180m
Elements: pn Muir + Sc toun
Description:
‘A farm belonging to or associated with a person or family named Muir’. Although muir as a topographical term would be an unsurprising element to find in a farm name, the presence of the -s after Muir in most of our forms, and the fact that this form of name with toun is so common in Ochiltree and its surroundings, makes it fairly certain we are dealing with a family name here. Muir was very common in Ayrshire in the early modern period, and the county had one of the densest concentrations of this name in the 1881 census (see FaNBI s.n. Muir). This was a subdivision of Polquhairn.