Fort Wall
Of great historical interest, Ayr's Fort Wall was part of the town's citadel built in the 1650's on the orders of Oliver Cromwell. It was the largest of those built to establish military control in Scotland at this time. The enclosed area was sixteen acres - room enough for a garrison of 1,000 foot and horse soldiers. It was heavily defended, being bounded on two sides by the sea and the river and on the landward side by a moat and earthworks. It was built in a well-tried continental style on an easily defended site which had a commanding view of the surrounding district and could be supplied by sea.
After the restoration of Charles II in 1660, the Citadel itself was dismantled to prevent its use by parties hostile to the crown. It was granted to the Earl of Eglinton and ownership later passed to the Kennedys of Cassillis. Much of the original fort wall facing the sea and the harbour is still visible and a walk around the streets south of the harbour reveals remains of its strong walls and defensive ditches. The little turret overlooking the harbour, however, was constructed in the 19th Century by John Miller to add to the Citadel and is sometimes known as "Miller's Folly". This corbelled turret is often mistaken for a sentinel post from the time of the Citadel. It is however a Victorian embellishment, though some of the lower stones may be original. Miller himself was a gunsmith and antiquarian who made his fortune in Calcutta. On his return to Ayr in the 1850s he acquired the Citadel. He lived there and called himself 'Baron' Miller. In his time he was viewed as an eccentric by the townspeople.
Behind the wall on the river side is reputed to be the site of the 12th century Castle of Ayr, of which, unfortunately, almost nothing is known.
Operated by South Ayrshire Council.
Contact
South Ayrshire Council
South Harbour Street
Ayr
KA7 1JB
Scotland
Tel: +44 (1292) 61200
Fax: +44 (1292) 612143
E-Mail: cst@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
WWW: http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/parks/parksandpublic/historic/citadelhist.htm
