Hanyng (sic) was the caput or laird's dwelling of the Barony of Haining-Ross[1] with a tower house or keep located in a defensive position on a high promontory of land, half encircled by the river.

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.

[2] 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.

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.

[7] Smith in Prehistoric Man in Ayrshire records that three iron caltrops used for laming horses as a defence against attack were found at Haining and were in the collection of a Mr Peter Wright.

In 1521 Janet, George Ross's daughter, married Robert Lindsay, grandson of the laird of Corsbascat (sic) (Crossbasket).

[2] 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.

[2] In 1597 Matthew Ross of Haining and Galston was given formal possession of Haining-Ross; his daughter Janet married Hugh Kennedy of Bennane.

"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.

The Ordnance Survey Name Book for 1855-1857 records that Haining Place was a farmhouse owned by the Duke of Portland and occupied by a George Bowie.

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.

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

[32] 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.

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'.

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.

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 brick lined ruined byre stands at right angles to the dwelling place and features such as a wash house can still be discerned.

Evidence through the placing of the three vaults suggests a smaller tower was later extended and a wing was removed from what may have been an L-shaped building at one stage.

The tenants of Haining Place for many years were the Cunninghame family who, being friendly with the family at the nearby Braehead Farm, constructed a cable bridge across the Cessnock Water using two steel hawsers that were secured to either bank and a person crossed by holding on to the top whilst standing on the bottom cable and edging across, thereby ensuring dry feet when the water level was high.

Aged only 14 John made a working model of an advanced type of water mill that attracted much local interest and he was even given money to improve its construction.

He moved to Kilmarnock and for a time he was a cabinet maker but later became a wine merchant, all the while continuing with his scientific and theological interests, writing on various topics, moral and divine, his publication of 1780 becoming known as 'Goudie's Bible.

'[40] Goudie became friendly with Robert Burns who wrote the 'Epistle to John Goldie', saying : Craigmill on the Cessnock Water near the barony wood of Craigenconnor was demolished by 1908 and nothing substantial remains on site.

[41] The Kilmarnock Glenfield Ramblers visited Haining Place on 02/05/1931 and observed the stocking of the river with trout by the Hurlford and District Angling Club.

[34] The Glenfield Ramblers also noted that the rare Dusky Cranesbill (Geranium phaeum) grew at the site as well as Toothwort (Lathraea squamaria) and Cotoneaster.

She was the daughter of a farmer and at the time of her courtship by Robert Burns she was a servant employed at Carnell House, then known as Cairnhill,[43] close to the Cessnock Water.