Towerlands, North Ayrshire

Towerlands or Tourlands was a small estate of 70to of good quality land in the parish of Irvine and the old barony of Kilmaurs, North Ayrshire, Scotland, situated near the more extensive property of Bourtreehill, the lands of which surrounded it on three sides. The name suggests that a medieval stone or wood 'tower' structure of some sort existed, but no record of this appears to exist.HistoryThe spelling 'Towerlands' is used throughout for consistency. Roy's map of 1747 clearly marks the lands of Towerlands, and John Thomson's map of 1832 marks 'Tourlands' next to the Bourtreehill estate. Towerlands can be confused with the Tour estate in Kilmaurs, East Ayrshire.The lairds of TowerlandsIn 1551 a Jasper Templetoun of Towerlands is recorded.In 1601 a William Cuninghame of Towerlands is recorded; however, he was tried and executed on a charge of treason and all his lands and goods were at the same time forfeited. The 20/- land of Auldtoun-Crosbie had been held by William however it was sold to George Shaw for £1320 in part payment for the his spoilation at Cunninghamhead. This included the manor, grain mill, mill lands, waylaid and dams. He had also previously held the 5 Merk lands of Gas and Weltrees in the parish of Auchinleck.James Hay in 1617 was awarded the superiority of the '40 shilling lands' of Towerlands that belonged to Alexander Cuninghame. James, a servant of the Earl of Glencairn, died in 1639 and his son John inherited the property. This Alexander may have been the brother or a close relation of the William Cuninghame who had been executed for treason.