AYR GUILDRY CELEBRATES ITS 700th ANNIVERSARY
Having always been a keen local historian, I was first made aware of the existence of Ayr Guildry whilst a Councillor at South Ayrshire Council in2015, while carrying out online research into the history of Ayr.
From the information available, I found that Michael Hitchon MBE was a member of the Guildry. Michael is extremely well known in Ayr and beyond for his tireless work on behalf of the community in numerous voluntary and civic organisations. I knew Michael as a member of Fort, Seafield and Wallacetown Community Council which I attended as part of my role as a local Councillor.
Having had a discussion with Michael about the Guildry, Michael encouraged and nominated me to become a member in about 2016. I was invited to be a member of the Deans Council in about 2017, and became the Dean of the Guildry in April 2025.
AYR GUILDRY
Ayr Guildry is the oldest voluntary organisation in Ayr. We are celebrating our 700th Anniversary this year. The Guildry has played a hugely significant part in the history, culture and development of Ayr.
The Guildry came into existence following the Royal Charter granted by King William the Lion in 1205, which proclaimed Ayr as a Royal Burgh, granting privileges and the right to trade and hold a market to Burgesses, who in return paid taxes and provided men and arms, if necessary, to the King to protect his castle in Ayr, which had been built in 1197.
This developed into the right to promote and regulate trade, to agree the prices for which goods could be bought and sold, to adjudicate in trade disputes, to grant minor building and completion warrants and to oversee the qualification of tradesmen and apprentices.
The Guildry was extremely influential in the development of Ayr and the early transatlantic trade between 1640 – 1730, when the town enjoyed a flourishing trade with Europe importing wine and salt and exporting salted fish, hides, wool and cloth and with the Americas, importing sugar and tobacco. This established Ayr as a major seaport in the west of Scotland.
Throughout its history the Guildry has been actively involved in the governance of Ayr providing Magistrates and Members of the Town Council. Up until the reorganisation of Local Government in 1975, the Dean of the Guild sat as an unelected Member of the Town Council and was regarded as the second citizen of Ayr, after the Provost. The formal relationship between the Guildry and local Council ended in 1991 when the Chief Executive of Kyle and District Council ceased to be the Clerk to the Guildry.
The Guildry has also been at the forefront of attracting business and visitors to Ayr including, the formation of an Attractions Committee to stage The Pageant of Ayrshire in 1934 which brought tens of thousands of visitors to the town over many years. In 1948 the Guildry was responsible for the establishment of the Ayr Chamber of Commerce and in 2005 it was heavily involved in Ayr800, the yearlong celebrations of the 800th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Charter.
Today, the Guidry exists as a historical organisation and continues to recognise the importance of trade skills by sponsoring the annual Apprentice of the Year Award at the Ayrshire College, promoting trade by judging and awarding a trophy to the best presented retail shop window every Christmas and making small donations to appropriate local causes.
THE 700th ANNIVERSARY OF THE GUILDRY
To celebrate its 700th Anniversary, the Guildry has produced ten impressive high quality cast bronze commemorative plaques which will be placed at locations of historic interest throughout the town. These include the site of the original Ayr Station in North Harbour Street, the site of Corney & Barrow, Scotland’s oldest working wine cellar, established in 1766 by Members of the Guildry, and the site of the original Woolworths Store in Ayr High Street.
The Guildry also has had and continues to maintain a close relationship with the Auld Kirk of Ayr. During the 16thcentury the Guild Court had special responsibility for keeping safe the vestments, books, and chalices of the parish church. In 1861 the Guildry donated a magnificent stained glass window to the Auld Kirk displaying the various crafts and trades of that time. This window is in the Trades Loft of the Kirk. In 2024 the Guildry made a significant donation towards having the window restored to its former magnificence.
To celebrate this ancient and enduring relationship, there will be a special commemorative service held at the Auld Kirk on Sunday 5th October.
To further celebrate our significant anniversary, the Provost of South Ayrshire Council recently granted the Guildry a Civic Reception, and South Ayrshire Council have allowed us the opportunity to display historic items celebrating the history of the Guildry at the Heritage Hub, 1 - 3 High Street, Ayr during the month of September.
If you or your family have any historic Guildry related memorabilia, and would be happy for it to be displayed as part of the exhibition during September, please get in touch with me by email, at allandorans@icloud.com.
The Guildry endeavours to keep the history of Ayr alive, particularly to help people learn more about Ayr’s vibrant culture and past, and to celebrate the memory of the people and events which shaped our town.
THE GUILDRY AND THE ALLOWAY RAILWAY TUNNEL PROJECT
By working on behalf of the community, in many ways the Guildry complements the work so brilliantly captured by the fabulous Alloway Railway Tunnel Project.
It was therefore with great pleasure that I was able to visit the ART Project last year, and meet with Chris Rutherford, the artist and project leader, to see for myself this fabulous vibrant mural, inspired by Ayrshire’s fascinating and unique history.
Allan Dorans
Former Member of Parliament for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock and Dean of Ayr Guildry
