The Lands of Pitcon

The present category B listed[2] Georgian mansion house (OS NS 229879, 650628) dating from 1787, replaces an older castellated dwelling.

Pitcon lies on the outskirts of Drakemyres, now a suburb of Dalry, close to the confluence of the Rye Water, River Garnock, and the Mains Burn,[3] standing on a low knoll.

[5] The present Pitcon mansion house mainly dates from 1787, a new wing having been added in the 1920s to plans drawn up by James Houston.

[6] In the mid 19th century a valuable stratum of ironstone was discovered and exploited,[7] leaving substantial mining remnants from two pits, their mineral railways and waste tips, that were close by.

A network of estate roads existed with a ford crossing the River Garnnock before the mineral railway was built.

He predeceased his wife whose second husband was James Stewart, giving rise to the line that led to the Marquess of Bute.

His son, also Thomas, together with his brother Richard supported Mary Queen of Scots and fought at the Battle of Langside; they were both pardoned.

[20] The Arms of the Boyds of Pitcon were the same as the Kilmarnock branch of the family, with the motto; "Spes mea in Colis" (My hope is in heaven).

[18] The laird of Pitcon held Monkcastle at one time, having obtained it from George Hay, and later it passed to John Wallace, minister of Largs in the 17th century.

[23] Saint Margaret's parish church in Dalry contains an oak armorial pew decoration, the shield of Blair impaled with that of Boyd of Pitcon, and this now adorns a transept wall.