This is one of only 4 ways into Kilbarchan.
The road just to the left of the photograph has a T junction,
one road coming from Howwood and the other from Lochwinnoch, it is probably the
most picturesque of the entrances as during the summer the trees cover both
roads in a beautiful green leaf canopy, and the walk from either of these villages
into Kilbarchan is one of peace and tranquillity.
As
you can see the buildings have not changed in many a year (apart from the
paint!)
Many of these buildings were "working" homes, the family living
upstairs and the looms and spinning wheels downstairs.
It is strange that after all this time
"cottage industries" are making a comeback throughout the world, although I do not think we will ever hear
the "clack" of the looms from behind these walls again.
This is as small fountain erected by the Kilbarchan General Society in 1932 dedicated to Kilbarchan's poet and songwriter Robert Allan (1774 -1841).
Robert was born in Kilbarchan November 4th 1774 and like so many "Habbies" was a hand loom weaver by trade, this is where a lot of his poems and songs were constructed as he weaved (in his case) muslin.
He was a friend of another Scottish poet Robert Tannahill (who also was a weaver), this friendship probably inspired more than a few of his musical works.
He published a volume of his poems in 1836 and although it was popular with lovers of the "Scottish song" it proved not to be a financial success, so a second volume was discarded.
He became disillusioned that no one appreciated him in Scotland as a poet/song writer so in 1841 at the ripe age of 67 he decided to leave Kilbarchan and emigrate to the United States to join his second son . However the poet caught a chill while at sea and he died on the 7th June 1841, six days after arriving in the U.S.A.
In 1874 the Kilbarchan residents had a public centennial anniversary to
commemorate their poet and also by having various festivals to start an interest
in Robert. So much so that many Kilbarchan Canadians and Americans sent
contributions to honour this humble self taught "Habbie".
This culminated in the above small fountain being erected 90 years after his death.
Most of Robert Allan's poems and songs are contained in "Evening Hours: Poems and Songs", which was
published in 1836.
For some details go to:
British Poetry of the Romantic Period catalogue (item 20)
