The Darvel to Eaglesham weavers trail

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The Weavers' Trail

Silk and lace was a main industry in parts of Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire following agricultural improvements in the eighteenth century. The New Statistical Account of Scotland notes that 'About 1790, there were 63 silk-looms at work in Eaglesham'. Weavers from the Ayshire villages of Darvel and Newmilns used to make a 16 mile journey from Darvel to Eaglesham on occassion carrying a piece of finished cloth for the markets and collecting a new clue of yarn which would arrive with the carriers from Glasgow and Paisley. The route that the weavers took still exists today.

Montgomery Square, Eaglesham

Eaglesham is believed to be the first place in the world where William Murdoch first used gas for public street lighting in 1802. The gas works were situated in Gas Works Lane although nineteenth century maps show this to be Kirk Wynd behind Kirk Wynd Cottage. Kirk Wynd is known locally as Gassy Brae possibly in reference to the gas works that were once situated here.

Kirk Wynd

Brownmuir Holdings

Road to Park Farm

Park Farm

Carrot

Whitelee Forest

Myres Hill

Extensive views of the Whitelee Windfarm, the largest on-shore wind farm in Europe can be seen as the trail emerges from Whitelee Forest. Barytes veins intruded in carboniferous volcanic rocks located were once exploited at a small mine 450 yards south and 35 degrees east of Myres Hill.

Crook Hill

High Overmuir

Auldhouse Burn

Low Overmuir Farm road end

Pogiven Bridge

High Carlingcraig

Track to Darvel

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Entering Darvel

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Darvel Main Street

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Further reading

Mallard, Kenneth, Eaglesham The Story of a Planned Village Link
Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society, Heritage Paths Project Link

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