Dalmellington

Dalmellington[7] is an ancient settlement of indeterminate origin. It is probable that the area was first occupied some 6,000 years ago, when humans moved inland from the West Coast along the rivers. It was certainly occupied by the Neolithic Period, as cairns and a few scraps of tools from this period have been found. In recent years traces of early human activity have been found around Loch Doon. There may have been crannogs at Bogton Loch and Loch Doon. In the medieval period Dalmellington was part of Kyle Stewart and under the rule of a series of Norman lords, invited to Scotland by the king to assist in subduing the country. On behalf of the king they collected taxes and administered justice. It was during this period that "The Dalmellington Motte" was constructed.[8]

Events from the past have underlined Dalmellington's geographical importance, it is believed that the Doon Valley was a Roman thoroughfare and even possibly a Roman military station. During the time of the Covenanters, 900 soldiers were stationed in the vicinity. There were two castles in the area, Loch Doon and Laight Alpin.

Eighteenth-century Dalmellington was a small rural village with some 500 inhabitants, but the modern way of life was already taking shape. Good quality coal was being produced from surface workings and sent down the turnpike road to Galloway. The town grew after James Watt's steam engine had made deeper mine workings feasible, and the completion of the railway in 1858.

Apart from the coal mining, there were 8,000 sheep and 800 black cattle on the hills, and plans were afoot for the spinning and weaving of wool. These plans resulted in two woollen mills which flourished for a time in the following century. The two mills employed about 30 people between them. The yarn from the largest was disposed of wholly to the Kilmarnock carpet manufacturers until the proprietor of the mill added a carpet manufactory with eight looms constantly at work. The yarn spun in the second mill was also manufactured on the spot, into blankets, into plaid, packing cloth, etc.

There were also about 40 weavers working from home. Although by the 20th Century mining was the dominant industry, workers had to travel to outlying areas. Eight pits producing around 124,000 tons a year were operating in the 1940s. With the decline of the labour-intensive deep mining, the area was dependent on its replacement – opencast (capital intensive) mining.[8]

During the First World War an ultimately unsuccessful attempt was made to establish a gunnery school at Loch Doon.[9] Although it was in breach of the Geneva Convention, large numbers of German prisoners were involved in its construction. The Loch Doon Aerial Gunnery School Railway ran from near Dalmellington station to Dalfarson, close to Craigengillan House.

• Robert Hetrick, the blacksmith-poet, lived in the town in the 19th century.
• Scottish playwright Ena Lamont Stewart died in the village.
• Hugh Johnstone (SBBA) MBE, honorary Vice President of Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) until his death 17 August 2015 aged 90.[10][11]
• Donald Lees Reid, author.

Dalmellington Band is based in the village of Dalmellington and it is one of Scotland's oldest Brass Bands and has been in the forefront of the movement since its formation in 1864. The band have had notable success in contests and have their name inscribed on every major competition trophy in Scotland, including three Scottish Championship wins. The band regularly provide music for: concerts, gala days, weddings, church services, opening days, parades, background music and Christmas events. In 2014, the band celebrated its 150th year.[12][13]

• Moore, John. Gently Flows the Doon. A guide to the Dalmellington, Patna and Loch Doon Area (1972) Pub. Dalmellington District Council, ISBN 0-9502841-0-6
• Reid, Donald L. Old Dalmellington, Patna & Waterside (2001) Pub. Stenlake of Catrine, ISBN 1-84033-149-6
• Reid, Donald L. Doon Valley Memories - Dalmellington, Dunaskin, Patna & District (2002) Pub Donald L Reid - ISBN 0-9522720-8-3
• Reid, Donald L. Doon Valley Bygones. A Pictorial Journey Down Memory Lane (2004)Pub. Donald L Reid, ISBN 0-9522720-3-2
• Reid, Donald L, Robert Burns' Valley of Doon (2005) Pub. Donald L Reid, ISBN 0-9522720-2-4
• Reid, Donald L, Discovering Matthew Anderson - Policeman Poet of Ayrshire (2009), (Pub Donald L Reid) ISBN 0-9522720-9-1

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dalmellington.

• The Loch Doon Aerial Gunnery School 1916 - 1918
• DALMELLINGTON FANCY DRESS PARADE (c.1927) (archive film from the National Library of Scotland: SCOTTISH SCREEN ARCHIVE)
• Video footage of Dalmellington Motte
• Video footage of Loch Doon or Balliol Castle.