Site Report

WoSASPIN 51293

NS 45253 34848
A farmstead, comprising two roofed buildings, one of which was L-shaped, was depicted on the Ordnance Survey 1st edition map of 1860, where it was annotated as 'Haining Place'. The 'place' place-name element is commonly associated with the presence of a large manor house, palace or main farm. The farm buildings also appears on the Ordnance Survey Landline and 1:10,000 landplan maps, though they are shown as being unroofed. The site was submitted by Tommy Loudon, Ayrshire & Arran FWAG, as being suitable for management under the Rural Stewardship Scheme. He states that, according to the farmer, Mr Davy Strawhorn, the building was last inhabited 60 years ago, but has fallen into disrepair over the intervening decades. Pictures accompanying his letter support this, as the site appears to be located within an area of fairly mature woodland, and there are signs that vegetation is growing from the wall-head. It is unclear from the available evidence whether the currently extant structure occupies the site of an earlier manor, though the photographs supplied appear to show a walled garden with a single door opening through the wall.
Entered WoSAS (MO'H), 24/08/04

NS 245225 634855
One of the photographs referred to above appears to show the curving retaining wall adjoining the former hollow-way or farm track leading through and from the site to the Cessnock Water below and to the W.

The L-shaped steading ranges shown on the 1st Edition O.S. map survive in a ruinous state but little evidence is left of what is presumed to have been the farmhouse to the NW at NS 245240 634863, and of the extensive associated orchards or enclosures which were also shown on the 1860 map, but appear to have been restored to pasture. The physical remains and the mapped plan-form would support an inferred late 18th or early 19th century date for the steading in its surviving form. The presence of earlier occupation at the site is suggested by the place-name, as suggested above, but also from cartographic evidence. "Haining" is shown on General Roy's Military Survey of Scotland (1747-55) at or near this location, but is depicted as a somewhat distributed collection of buildings in an area of woodland and small tree-lined enclosures at the bend in the Cessnock Water.
A rectangular building measuring approximately 14m ENE-WSW and 6m transversely which is depicted slightly to the NE of the steading at NS 245265 634890 on the O.S. 1st Ed. map is no longer visible above-ground. This building is shown on the N side of a broad track leading from the modern Haining Mains (see WoSASPIN 7337) and opposite a very small (c. 8m by 5.5m) pond or reservoir at NS 45277 34883 with an attached 14m by 5.5m enclosure to the WSW. Neither pond nor enclosure is now visible on the ground. The broad track from Haining Mains survives between parallel hedgerows separated by approximately 8-10m as far as the site of Greenhead (see WoSASPIN 67399), but its former continuing route N and then W through the modern pasture field to the Haining Place site is still discernable as a slight hollow.
Greenhead appears to have been a building of similar plan and dimensions to that described above, and built on a parallel alignment. The similarity of size, plan and alignment of these buildings suggests that they may have been built as ancillary structures or workers' dwellings as part of a late 18th century "Agricultural Revolution-period" development of an earlier Haining ferme-toun or medium-status farm residence. While confirming occupation in the vicinity before the inferred date of existing remains, the settlement form shown on Roy's map does not conform to the surviving mapped remains it suggests that earlier structures or features may lie under the existing ruins or in the surrounding area.
Entered WoSAS (HMcB) 12/06/2015

Haining Place or The Haining in the Parish of Kilmarnock lies near an old fording place across the Cessnock Water in East Ayrshire, Parish of Riccarton, Scotland. Hanyng (sic) was the caput or laird's dwelling of the Barony of Haining-Ross with a tower house or keep located in a defensive position on a high promontory of land, half encircled by the river. Later Haining Place was a tenanted farm, finally finally being used as farm workers accommodation. Haining Place is now a ruin following a fire. The old farm of Haining Mains is still located nearby.

The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland records in 1665 the existence of the 'Lands and Barony of Haining-Ross' in the Parish of Riccarton, Bailliary of Kyle-Stuart and Sheriffdom of Ayr.

It is recorded that the lands of Haining had fortifications, a chapel, a mill at Craigmill on the Cessnock Water and Paroche, Overlane, Netherlane, Bruce-roddingis (sic) and Wraithe were properties within the barony. Woodlands held by the estate were Haining Wood, Dummuysdaill (sic), Urisbankis (sic), Craigenconner, Dowbank, Millbank and Garrochmurebank. The 'Gardens of Haining' are recorded in 1498.

A list dated 1498 of the holdings of the estate names the lands of 'Hanyng within the Ward; lands of Hanyng without the Ward; Gawines-fauld, alias Nemochis-fauld; Brigend, alias Wobsteris-maling; Urisbank; Wodsyde; Dubbis-medow, Paroche-medow and Langboig; lands of Paroche; lands of Ovir-Lone, Mossyde and Clauchraif; Quhithill; Craig-mylne and Toun-end of Nethir-Lone'.

Haining has previously been recorded on older maps, probably in error, as 'Hatting.' If correct this place name could be derived from the Gaelic athan meaning a 'ford or fordable river'. Haining Place stands beside an old ford and stepping stones. In Scots the more recent recorded name of 'Haining' is a 'fence, hedge or wall forming the boundary of an enclosure or a piece or stretch of ground enclosed in this way so as to protect a hay crop' from cattle, deer, etc. It is worth noting that at one time Haining had a lengthy pale or fence around its old deer park.

The Lairds of Haining-Ross
In the 14th century Andrew de Ross, son of Sir Godfrey de Ross, Sheriff of Ayr, is considered to have been an ancestor of the Ross families of Haining, Galston and Montgreenan. As followers of the English supporting faction and John Balliol many of the Ross family lands were confiscated although some were later restored to them.

In the 15th century a David Campbell of Skerrington near Cumnock is said to have married a sister of Stewart of Haining.

The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland in 1475 record that John Ross has possession of Hanyng (sic). In 1484 Elizabeth, George Ross of Haining's daughter, married Charles Fullerton of Dreghorn. In 1521 Janet, George Ross's daughter, married Robert Lindsay of Corsbascat. Janet Ross was a parishioner of Riccarton and they married at the mansion chapel of George Ross at Haining. In 1527 George Ross's daughter Mariota had married Edward Cunninghame, who was killed as a result of a feud. John Ross in 1535 had formal possession of lands in Haining with its fortifications, mill at Craigmill, etc. John Ross in 1551 had not taken formal possession of Haining and as a result it was "granted" to others; by 1554 the Queen quitclaimed Haining to John Ross and his wife Mariota Hamilton.

George Ross of Haining took part in the 'Langside rebellion' of 1571 but was forgiven his involvement under legal conditions of future appropriate behaviour. John Ross of Haining in 1588 had to pay twenty pounds for the 20 pound land of Haining as payment towards supporting two commissioners to Parliament. John had two sons, George and Thomas. By 1593 John Ross of Haining had died and his heir George Ross was granted the properties within the Barony of Haining of Paroche, Overlane, Netherlane, Bruce-roddingis and Wraithe.

The under-tenants of John Ross who held land in Haining-Ross had become concerned as to their legal status because their superior had failed for forty years to formally acquire possession of the barony. Among those with an interest at this time were John Ross, James Ross, James Ross, the younger, Andrew/Alexander Ross, Robert Ross of Thornton and Hugh Ross. In 1597 Matthew Ross of Haining and Galston was given formal possession of Haining-Ross; his daughter Janet married Hugh Kennedy of Bennane.

In 1599 John Ross and Marion Hamilton of Haining are recorded as having three sons James, Thomas, Matthew and Allen. In 1611 Marion Hamilton Ross was recorded as 'lady of Haining'. Margaret Wallace Ross in 1617 was termed 'dame of Hayning'; her daughter married Adam Stewart of Barskimming in 1610. Margaret Boyle in 1629 is recorded as the mother of Matthew Ross of Haining. In the mid 16th century Marian Boyle, daughter of John Boyle of Kelburn married Matthew Ross of Haining and children were born of the union.

In 1685 the Records of the Parliament of Scotland recorded an act of annexation of lands to the crown in which the lands and barony of Haining-Grass (sic) or Haining-Ross were annexed by James VII from Sir Hugh and Sir George Campbell of Cessnock to the crown."baronies, heritages, rooms, possessions, mills, woods, fishings, tacks, steadings, teinds, annual rents, patronages, wadsets, expired apprisings and adjudications, castles, towers, fortalices, houses, biggings, yards, orchards, annexes, connexes, tenants, goods and acres and all other heritages, lands and estates whatsoever pertaining and belonging to the forenamed persons, rebels and traitors."

In 1770 the Barony of Haining was, together with those of Cessnock, Riccarton & Galston, to be sold as one lot or in parcels.

Cartographic evidence
Robert Gordon's map of 1636-52 gives the name as 'Hatting' with Dullers (sic), Carnell and Sefnock (sic) located nearby along the course of the Cessnock Water with the same map symbol used to designate the status of the dwelling in each case.

Joan Blaeu's map of 1654, based on the earlier circa 1604 map by Timothy Pont also names 'Hatting' with 'Dullers' located downstream on the Cessnock Water. The dwelling at 'Hatting' is shown with woodlands in the immediate vicinity. A pale or fence is shown surrounding a probable deer park with woodlands that extends as far as a dwelling named as 'Paragh'.

Herman Moll's map of 1745 records 'Hatting' as well as 'Dullers' dwellings in this area. This map also indicates a pale or deer park at Dullers (sic), but not at Hatting.

William Roy's map of 1747-55 records the name as 'Haining', with 'Dillars' nearby. Braehead is recorded opposite Haining for the first time and the dwelling of 'Purnoch' is shown to the north-west. A significant Woodland is shown nearby at Dykehead as well as around Haining. Several groups of buildings are shown around Haining Place at this time.

Andrew Armstrong's map of 1775 shows 'Haning' with its surrounding woodlands and for the first time the name 'Auchenskeigh' replaces 'Dullers' or its variants. A toll is shown on the nearby road to Mauchline from Kilmarnock. The symbols used for the status of significant dwellings at the two 'lairds houses' are the same. Braehead is not shown.

Taylor and Skinner's map of 1776 shows the estate of 'Auchenskeich' as the property of Captain Cunningham, however Haining, etc are not marked.

John Ainslie's map of 1821 marks Haining and 'Auchenskaith' in bold print as 'important' dwellings together with Knockmarloch, Treesbank, Ingotrick, etc., all with the same map symbol. No mention is made of Braehead, etc. On this map Cessnock Water is given as the 'Haining Water'.

John Thomson's map of 1828 shows Haining with wooded areas and a dwelling at East Park in the vicinity of the old deer park area, Parroch is recorded and the name 'Dallars' replaces variants of 'Auchenskeigh'. A lane is shown running towards Haining from a lane running to Riccarton on the western side only of the Cessnock Water that would require a ford crossing.

The 25 inch to the mile, 1st edition OS map of 1857 shows the name 'Dollars', Braehead is marked and a ford is suggested by lanes running down to the Cessnock Water with stepping stones marked. Haining Place is recorded with a dwelling of Greenhead nearby on the lane running northwards towards the Kilmarnock to Mauchline Road. The lane bypasses Haining Place and regular plantings of what may be fruit trees run to the west and east. Haining Place is shown as an 'L' shaped building with two significant buildings nearby on each side of the lane but no walled garden to the east. A small pond is shown and Haining Mains is located nearby. A gravel pit is present near Braehead Farm and a whinstone quarry lies below the mansion house of Haining. What appears to be a walled garden with ornate plantings lies to the north west of the house within a woodland setting.

In 1890 Greenhead is still present and a wood remains to the east of Haining Mains. In 1895 the Haining Ford is clearly marked however the only building close to Haining Place shown as roofed is the 'place' itself and the pond and walled garden in the wood are absent although the 'orchard' remains. A walled 'garden' area now lies to the east of the mansion house. Greenhead is no longer named. In 1908 Haining Place has two greenhouses present, little else has changed.

In 1955 Haining Place is still marked and its location shown near a still extant through road to Shortlees via Crossbush and Bridgehouse Farms.

History and description of Haining Place
Kersland Castle near Dalry with the date 1604 on an armorial panel shows some features in common with Haining Place in that it has vaulted chambers on the ground floor and today represents a fortified structure partly demolished and replaced with a farmhouse and steading.

1930s descriptions
In 1930 the building is described as an 'Old World Mansion on the Cessnock' and it was entered via a tall arched entrance that was topped by a weather vane and flanked by two lions'. It is referred to as 'Haining' or the 'Place of Haining' and a local tradition is recorded that Mary, Queen of Scots once stayed there. The building had two storeys in 1930 with an outside set of steps giving access to the upper or first floor storey, whilst the lower three stone vaulted chambers were only in use as a store. The ground floor windows were narrow slits as the walls were as thick as an ancient keep. The writer speculates that the first floor was built upon a ruined keep and records that the outside steps appeared a 'restoration' addition and that a fanlight of many panes of glass existed above the entrance as found in very old houses. It is further speculated that, as the dwelling has little traditional history attached to it, it may have seen use use as dower house to a nearby estate.

In 1931 the Kilmarnock Glenfield Ramblers had a outing to Riccarton Moss and Haining Place and commented on the ancient mansion-house of Haining which they considered as having once been much larger with its thick walls and 'springs of arches at different parts of the outside walls'. Several acres of apples and pear trees had existed around the 'Place' until recent times, however most had been cut down recently because of their age and lack of productivity. The 'Gipsy Steps' is the name given to the track that leads down to the ford and stepping stones across the Cessnock Water.

2015 description
The photographs illustrate that the entrance arch has been removed and the two terracotta lions are now located at Haining Mains Farm. The steps leading up to the first floor of Haining Place are identifiable together with a contemporary stone and brick built arched support to a first floor structure. The first floor building is almost entirely absent. Two stone bases to internal revetted door jambs are prominent features mid-way along the building, indicating a possible great hall and private chambers division. The old fireplace surround on the ground floor has been removed however the three vaulted ground floor chambers remain intact with windows to the east, some open and blocked windows to the west and the remnants of a wheel stairwell, located on the west facing side of the building. The brick lined ruined byre stands at right angles to the dwelling place and features such as a wash house can still be discerned.
Information derived from Wikipedia page on Haining Place and the Barony of Haining-Ross (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haining_Place_and_the_Barony_of_Haining-Ross), information compiled by Griffith, R.