Slokendrought? Muirkirk.

[karenmcc]

Hi All,

I have a birth record from 1791 in Muirkirk. The place of birth appears to be SLOKENDROUGHT. (on IGI a submitted entry has this as SLOEKENDROUGHT)

Does anyone know where or what this place is.

Karen

[AndrewP]

Hi Karen,

I think I have found the place. If it is not the place, then I have not found anything else similar.

On the 1850s Ordnance Survey map, this place shows up as Stottencleuch

http://www.nls.uk/maps/os/oneinch_1st_list.html
Select sheet 23 - Hamilton
Go to the bottom left corner. Click on it until it zooms in enough for you to be able to read the place names.
By panning right along the bottom edge, you should find the parish name Muirkirk.
Go to just beyond the last K in Muirkirk (to between 4°0' and 3°59'), the go a short distance upwards and you should find Stottencleuch.

I see no sign of it on newer maps, but the name lives on. On a modern map, there is the Stottencleugh Burn running past there.

The 1828 Thomson map shows both Stottencleugh and Stattencleugh in the same area.

http://www.nls.uk/maps/atlas/thomson/547.html
Select the top-right quarter map.
Zoom in on the eastmost point of Ayrshire (the coloured portion of the map).
You will find these places there.

All the best,

AndrewP

[Currie]

I’m not sure if this is going to help,

A Sloken appears to be a canal or artificial water-course
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=dTA ... =&as_brr=1

Drought can also be Drouth, maybe the water-course is dry

It may be Slokendrouth or Sloken-Drouth. There’s reference in this 1822 book to “lands of the laird of Sloken-drouth” in a story about “Honest Man, John Ochiltree” (uncorrected OCR text as provided). Maybe there's a clue in the story somewhere.

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=UdQ ... 1-PA148,M1

" Haud thy lap Penney, my woman," said the owner, and he emptied with u clang hito the maiden's lap upwards of an hundred antique pieces of Scottish gold, which avarice had arrested in their circulation before the accession of the house of Stuart. " There's as mickleas will array thee for the bridal, and here's documents for property which 1 will give thee the moment the kirk buckles us." An old piece of leather, which the diligence of the owner had fashioned from a saddle- kp into a pocket-book, supplied him with sundry papers, which he described as he submitted them to her examination. " That's a haud-fast bond on the lands of the laird of Sloken-drouth for seven hundred pounds Scots, a' sure siller; that's the rights of the lands of Knockhoolie, thirty-five pounds yearly, and ye'll be called the dame of Knockhoolie, a bonnie title and weel sounding." But why should I prolong a story of which all who hearken must know the upshot ? I saw the wicked speed that Mammon made in the maiden's affections, and sat dumb-founded and despairing. Her look, which was one of grave consideration at first, gradually brightened and expanded ;

Hope that helps somehow,
Alan

[KayM]

This is very interesting. I am researching the same family as Karen, James Murdoch b 1791 Slokendrought, Muirkirk and have also been trying to figure out where it is

In the recently published Cairntable Recollections http://www.ayrshirehistory.com/muirkirk ... tions.html, there is a poem from the 1830s that mentions many placenames and people in Muirkirk including Stockendrouth. Doesn't say where it is, though.

Also in google books there is a Slockendrought in Midlothian mentioned in Traditions of Edinburgh, Volume 1
By Robert Chamber http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=dgsw ... ht&f=false.

Have also considered Stottencleugh. It's not that far from Cleughhead another place associated with the Murdoch family. I have walked to there and have photos if anyone is interested.

Kay

[Hibee]

Hi

My guess.....(notoriously inaccurate record)....is that this place is named after a natural spring, or well, where one could "slake" ones "drought", or thirst.

Hibee

[joette]

More likely "Drouth" as in "I have a proper drouth(thirst) on me".A word used by my Grandparents & occasionally my parents & their peers.I have used it too much to the consternation of my mainly English friends.

[KayM]

As in Burns's drouthy cronies!

[Montrose Budie]

It wisnae cronies, but neebors !

This is the first few lines of Tam o' Shanter..

When chapman billies leave the street,
And drouthy neebors, neebors meet;
As market-days are wearing late,
An folk begin to tak the gate;
............
........
.....

mb

who went to primary school in Alloway .............

[Hibee]

And here's us accusing the Americans for removing the "u" from neighbours.

Hibee

[joette]

HAAA & how could I have forgotten good old "Tam-O-Shanter" still my favourite of Burns.