Kilkerran

The earliest promoters of agricultural change in the 18th century were Alexander 10th Earl of Eglinton and John 4th Earl of Loudoun who is credited with planting over one million trees.   In Carrick the estates of Culzean, Dunure and Blanefield began their improvements in the 1770s. Earlier than this Sir Adam Fergusson of Kilkerran began systematic improvements in 1759 and this painting by A. B. Docharty shows the mature fruits of these labours. On the slope in the distance can be seen the rectangular pattern of plantations and fields; the shelter belt of trees and the hedgerows.