Kirkconnel, St Conal's Church Raven

[Tookie]

I know that Kirkconnel lies just inside the Dumfries and Galloway are
but the fact this it's so close I'm hoping that you will all give me
some leeway, plus I am an Ayrshire boy.

The reason for the post is I was at the ruins of St Conal's Church
after having walked over the old road from Muirkirk. In the old church
yard as a cage with a raven in it. It was obviously being looked after
as it had food and water. I was wondering if it was being trained to
stay there? Is there a connection? However I know of no stories or
local legends linking the church and a raven. Does anyone have any
ideas?

Cheers
Tookie

[stuart brown]

Hi David - Wow! Some walk that! When I lived in Kirkconnel in the 50's I used to walk up the Baker's Burn and across to the churchyardbut no ravens.There AREravens in that area butare you positive of your identification. The less romantic option to any legends is that gamekeeoers use a caged crow as a lure to bring in other birds for execution.

Stuart Brown
 
www.scottishrarebreeds.org.uk   "Now you see me - Soon you won't!"
 
 

 

> Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2012 06:03:00 -0700
> Subject: [Ayrshire History] Kirkconnel, St Conal's Church Raven
> From: davidtoo...@gmail.com
> To: ayrshir...@googlegroups.com

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[Tookie Bunten]

Hi Stuart,

Oh yes it's a great walk. 16 miles all in. Yes definitely a raven. Bigger than a craw but smaller than a rook. I had thought that originally. Working on the farms that sometimes happened to protect the young lambs. However there was a feeding bowl and a watering bowl as well as perches? Very weird but you may well be correct.

Cheers

Tookie

Sent from my iPhone

[Jean Bunch]

My ancestors were from Galston and Sorn. Are these near Kirkconnel?
jean...@gmail.com To: "Ayrshire History"
<ayrshir...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2012 6:03 AM

Subject: [Ayrshire History] Kirkconnel, St Conal's Church Raven

[stuart brown]

18 miles Jean ---- by road!!! "Tookie"'s method over the hills ---- probably 10 miles - but VERY sore feet!

Stuart Brown
 
www.scottishrarebreeds.org.uk   "Now you see me - Soon you won't!"
 
 

 

[Tookie Bunten]

Stuart,

Must have went the long way nearly 16 miles over the hills according to the gps tracker lol ;)

Cheers 

Tookie

Sent from my iPhone

[stuart brown]

Yes ---- Muirkirk to Kirkc.... but Jean was asking Sorn to Kirkc. Muirkirk is a LONG way from ANYWHERE - hence "Kirk on the Moor"! Keep walking --- perhaps you will reach me (strathaven/Drumclog) - eventually!!! (if the frostbite and wind don't get ye!

Stuart Brown
 
www.scottishrarebreeds.org.uk   "Now you see me - Soon you won't!"
 
 

 

---

From: davidtoo...@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 1 May 2012 16:57:18 +0100

Subject: Re: [Ayrshire History] Kirkconnel, St Conal's Church Raven

To: ayrshir...@googlegroups.com

[Tookie Bunten]

Lol. You're not that far from me! Live in EK now. Parents still in Cumnock. Looking at walking over the old road from Darvel to Eaglesham but part of it is closed at the moment due to the whitemoss extension. Apparently there is an old road over from Muirkirk to Darvel but can't find that on a map yet.

Cheers

Tookie

Sent from my iPhone

[stuart brown]

www.old-maps.co.uk     Parents Old or New Cumnock? My dad is NewCumnock.

Stuart Brown
 
www.scottishrarebreeds.org.uk   "Now you see me - Soon you won't!"
 
 

 

---

From: davidtoo...@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 1 May 2012 17:51:45 +0100

[Tookie Bunten]

Well technically, old Cumnock but as you probably know new cumnock is older or the church is at any rate ;) 

I know a Henry Brown from New Cumnock, a relation? Played junior football with my dad.