Alloway

For other uses, see Alloway (disambiguation).

Alloway
Scottish Gaelic: Allmhaigh
Alloway  Alloway shown within South Ayrshire
OS grid reference	NS333184
Council area	South Ayrshire
Lieutenancy area	Ayrshire and Arran
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	AYR
Postcode district	KA7
Police	Strathclyde
Fire	Strathclyde
Ambulance	Scottish
EU Parliament	Scotland
List of places: UK • Scotland •

Alloway (Gaelic Allmhaigh, pronounced [aɫ̪avaj]) is best known as the birthplace of Robert Burns, and as where he set his poem "Tam o' Shanter".

The former village and surrounding area was incorporated into the former Royal Burgh of Ayr in 1935 and the extended village is now a suburb of Ayr on the River Doon, in Scotland. In the heart of the village lies the birthplace of Robert Burns, known as 'Burns Cottage' and the adjacent museum. Here are original manuscripts in the poet's own hand. There is a nineteenth century memorial to Burns designed by Thomas Hamilton at the foot of the village next to the church. The ruined Alloway Kirk, or Auld Kirk, and the old bridge over the River Doon are featured in the poem "Tam O'Shanter". Both are tourist attractions of the village. Robert Burns' father, William Burns, is buried in the Auld Kirk. At night, green lights are illuminated over the Auld Kirk, adding to its ghostly appearance.

In addition to Burns Cottage and museum, the National Trust for Scotland has established a new purpose built Burns Heritage Centre in Alloway.

Public Parks

There are two main parks in Alloway. The first, Rozelle, hosts Ayr Flower Show each summer and has an art gallery which holds various exhibitions throughout the year. It also has an interesting permanent sculpture collection which include a Henry Moore and a series of granite carvings by Ronald Rae. The second, Belleisle Park, houses a golf course, walled garden, Camelia House, and playground.

Alloway is served by a primary school, library, post office and general store, church, pharmacy and gift shop.

Sport

Cambusdoon New Ground is located in Alloway on the former Robertson's Field and has played host to a number of Scotland Cricket Internationals, as well as being the home of Ayr Cricket Club, founded in 1859, since 1996, when they moved across the road from the original Cambusdoon ground. Ayr Cricket Club had moved from the Dam Park to the original Cambusdoon ground in 1935, and was their home for 60 years until sold for housing in 1995. The original cricket ground, which hosted two first-class matches (Scotland v Ireland in 1958 and 1974), was developed on the grounds of the former Cambusdoon Estate, once owned by 19th Century Iron and Coal magnate, James Baird. Baird's original Cambusdoon House, now a ruin, was converted to a boys' preparatory school in the late 1920s, and the rest of the estate surrounding the cricket ground was developed for housing in the late 1930s. The former England cricket captain mike Denness grew up in one of these houses, on Shanter Way, which adjoined the cricket ground.

Ayr Hockey Club also play out of the Cambusdoon ground, on a purpose-built floodlit astroturf pitch, which is also used for 5-a-side and 11-a-side football. There is also a bowling green, with the Cricket Club, Hockey Club and Bowling Club under the umbrella Cambusdoon Sports Club title.

Also in Alloway is Millbrae, the home of Ayr Rugby Club,since 1964. It is located behind the Monument and gardens.

External links

• About Ayr - About Ayr, South Ayrshire Council website information about Ayr
• South Ayrshire Council - South Ayrshire Council's website contains comprehensive information about the services provided by the Council