AYRSHIRE, Scotland, an extensive mar itime county about 60 miles in length, with a breadth varying from 10 to 26 miles. Its coast line is about 75 miles in length, has several excellent harbors. The singular rock off the coast, known by the name of Ailsa Craig, be longs to the county, as also do one or two other islets. The surface has no great elevations, the highest summits varying from about 1,200 to 1,900 feet. The principal streams are the Ayr, Stinchar, Girvan, Doon, Irvine and Garnock. The mineral riches are very considerable. Coal is abundant, especially in the middle and north ern parts of the county, and there are over 100 collieries. Extensive seams also of blackband ironstone exist, and are now being actively worked, Ayrshire having become the great seat of the iron manufactures of Scotland next to• Lanarkshire. Graphite is found in some lo calities; and lead, antimony and copper. Limestone and freestone abound. Mill stones, of coarse granite, much esteemed for their hardness and durability, are quarried near the north coast, in the district of Cunning ham. The native sheep are bred in great num
bers; their wool is coarse and scanty, but the flesh is excellent. The horses of Ayrshire are of superior breed, being hardy, strong and of large size. The woolen manufactures are ex tensive, particularly carpets, bonnets and wor sted shawls, which are produced in great quan tities. There are valuable fisheries and ship yards on the coast. On the coast is the ancient castle of Turnberry, in which Robert Bruce, King of Scotland, is said to have been born, and where he is known to have spent many of his youthful years. It was here that a fire, acci dentally kindled, was mistaken by Bruce for an appointed signal, and caused him to cross the sea from the island of Arran opposite to at tempt the deliverance of his country. Of the ecclesiastical ruins the most interesting is the abbey of Crossragruel, founded in 1244. The chief towns are Ayr, Kilmarnock, Irvine, Ste venston, Dundonald, Troon, Saltcoats, Largs and Ardrossan. Pop. (1911) 268,337. Consult Paterson, of Ayrshire> (1866).