Electric Brae
The Electric Brae is a gravity hill in Ayrshire, Scotland where cars appear to be drawn uphill by some mysterious attraction. The Lowland Scots word brae means a hill-slope or brow (with which it is cognate), and the "electric" name was given when electricity was a new technology associated with strange forces.
There is more than one stretch of road known as Electric Brae, but the most famous is on the A719, south of Dunure, not far from Ayr, between Drumshrang and Knoweside.[1] Though the road appears to be running uphill, a suitably free-running vehicle will slowly move off from a standstill. It was widely believed that vehicles were being propelled uphill by a mysterious magnetic force, but the road's apparently uphill slope is an optical illusion.[1] Metal road signs which used to mark the place have tended to be taken by visitors, and have been replaced by a stone which is inscribed with an explanation:
- "The ELECTRIC BRAE", known locally as 'CROY BRAE'.
- This runs the quarter mile from the bend overlooking Croy railway viaduct in the west (286 feet Above Ordnance Datum) to the wooded Craigencroy Glen (303 feet A.O.D.) to the east.
- Whilst there is this slope of 1 in 86 upwards from the bend to the Glen, the configuration of the land on either side of the road provides an optical illusion making it look as if the slope is going the other way.
- Therefore, a stationary car on the road with the brakes off will appear to move slowly uphill.
- The term 'Electric' dates from a time when it was incorrectly thought to be a phenomenon caused by electric or magnetic attraction within the Brae.
During the Second World War, the brae was visited by many American personnel from the air-base at Prestwick, and General Dwight D Eisenhower who had a flat nearby at Culzean Castle brought visitors to see the phenomenon. In 1992 the name was brought wider fame by the novel Electric Brae by Andrew Greig. The name has also been applied to other slopes in Scotland. This phenomenon has also been observed elsewhere in the world, for example outside the Garda station in Blackrock in Dublin, Ireland.[2]
[edit] Viewing
The most effective way to experience the illusion is to be travelling from south to north, with the sea on your left. A car set gently rolling, apparently uphill, will continue to roll. Footballs also seem to roll uphill.
Care needs to be taken when viewing this phenomenon since vehicles travelling south have restricted visibility.
[edit] References
- Electric Brae webpage by Bob McIntyre
- Electric Brae, Ayrshire, Scotland, UK
- International Directory of Magnetic Hills, Gravity Hills, Mystery Hills and Magnetic Mountains
- Rolling uphill illusion
Coordinates: 55°22.85′N 4°45.4167′W / 55.38083°N 4.756945°W
