The rediscovery of this island prompted much excitement, and in
1878, Lochlea was excavated in a project led by Dr. Robert Munro, a
medical doctor by profession in Kilmarnock, with interest in
archaeological and anthropological pursuits. It was found that a
foundation of brushwood was laid about 6ft deep into the ground,
kept down by beams and stones and surmounted by clay, which was
presumably clear of the surface of the water. The artificial island
was established by driving in piles round the outer edges. In one
area these piles formed two rows, one inside the other, round the
outside of the crannog.
The crannog would have been around 40ft in diameter, with a
fireplace contained in the dwelling made by bedding flat stones in
clay with a boundary made by placing stones on their side. Four
hearths of this type were found - one on top the other - meaning
that the crannog would have been home to our ancestors over
multiple periods of time. This notion is upheld by the many unique
objects found on the site during excavations, with objects dating
from the Bronze and Iron Ages, to the period of Roman occupation,
and even later.
What is a crannog specifically?
A crannog was a type of ancient fortified dwelling built
on an artificial island built in a body of water, such as a loch or
estuary. Crannogs are found in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales (which
only has 1 example!). The earliest example was found on North Uist,
and was dated to around 3650 to 2500 BCE. In Scotland, they were in
their peak of construction and occupation between 800 BCE to 200
AD.
Ok, and I hear there's a Burns
connection?
Of course, it's Ayrshire - there's a Burns connection! In 1777,
the Burns family moved from Mount Oliphant to Lochlea when Robert
Burns was 18, and it was his home for 7 years. As it was such a
water-logged and mossy land, it was very difficult for William,
Robert's father, to farm. The effort of attempting to turn the area
into fertile agricultural land paired with legal disagreements with
Lochlea's landlord ultimately led to the death of William in
1784.
Burns also met and fell in love with 'Highland Mary' (Mary
Campbell) in the 1780s in church when he was living near Tarbolton.
This was during a period when he was said to have felt abandoned by
Jean Armour after her move to Paisley. Lochlea was very likely his
home at the time.
Further reading:
Cressey, M., Finlayson, W. L. (1996) 'Lochlea, near Mauchline
(Tarbolton parish), evaluation', Discovery and
Excavation in Scotland, pp.97-98
Munro, R. (1882) Ancient Scottish lake Dwellings or
Crannogs. Edinburgh: David Douglas.