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A (very) brief history of Auchinleck

3 March
  • Barony Colliery.
    Photo Herald & Times Group.
Here are just a few historical dates:

15th Century - Boswells of Auchinleck become landed proprietors
17th Century - Centre of Covenanters
29 October 1740 - James Boswell, biographer of Samuel Johnson, born
21 August 1754 - Birth of William Murdoch, the pioneer of gas lighting
1755 - 1760 - Auchinleck House built by Alexander Boswell, 8th Laird of Auchinleck
1782 - Auchinleck House passes to James Boswell, 9th Laird of Auchinleck
19th May 1795 - Death of James Boswell
9 August 1848 - Auchinleck Station
1907 - A public meeting at Kirkland's Green in Auchinleck forms a new football club
1909 - The new club is named Auchinleck Talbot after Lord Talbot de Maldahide who gifts the club Beechwood Park
1907 - Barony Colliery built
1954 - Barony A Frame built
1957 - Power station built
8 November1962 - Four miners die in a mining disaster at the Barony colliery: Henry Green, John McNeil, Thomas Fyvie and George Wade
6 December 1965 - Station closed
1970 - Auchinleck Boswell Society founded
1983 - Power station closed
1984/5 - Miners strike
12 May 1984 - Station reopened
1986 - Remains of Auchinleck House buildings turned over to Scottish Historic Buildings Trust by James Boswell
1989 - Barony colliery, which employed 1,200 at its peak, closed after 82 years in operation
1999 - Auchinleck House bought by the Landmark Trust
6th December 2002 - Auchinleck Millennium Clock unveiled
2005-06 season - Auchinleck Talbot wins the Scottish Junior Cup
21st January 2008 - Barony A Frame Monument, restored by the Barony A Frame Trust, officially opened by Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay

Now it's your turn.

Above are just a few important dates - there's far more to the heritage of Auchinleck. There's a lot of interest in local history, and lots and lots of local knowledge. And here's your chance to tell everyone about it. If you have an interest in the history of Auchinleck - either in general or in specific points - then you can post it here. There must be many, many pictures of the village from throughout the 20th century - why not post them here, and ask other people what they remember?

28 August | 12:18:23

Geoff Crolley says

Who was the scupltor of the Barony Minor at the "A" Frame?
This is the type of monument I'd like on the Crowbandsgate Roundabout at the edge of New Cumnock. The Kyle Archer.

26 January | 11:24:38

Colin Affleck says

Good grief! Did Auchinleck spring into being, fullyformed, with the Boswells in the 15th Century? What was the history of the town? When did it start? Why did it start? Where does the name come from? Are there any things people can see (ruins, old stuff) that go back to that time? "A VERY brief history of Auchinleck? I should say so!
Colin Affleck
Site Admin: As is explained above, this is intended as a short history on which others can build. If you have more information, please post it.

2 March | 9:12:26

George Wade says

Small point:- Thomas Fyvie and George Wade killed in the Barony 8th November 1962 were mineral borers not miners.
George Wade

1 May | 5:07:18

Lesley Farman says

why has john mcneil's name been misspelt on the memorial?

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