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Loudounhill, in the Parish of Loudoun, Ayrshire, Scotland is a very large conical hill which dominates the landscape of the area. It was the site of a Roman camp. In 1307 Robert the Bruce defeated the English in the Battle of Loudounhill. Loudounhill Farm is at the western base of the hill. John Cameron had possession of the land in 1618. On August 31, 1625 William Cameron granted John Cameron, his son, ownership of Loudounhill Farm. This farm became the home of Cameron’s for at least 10 generations.

Loudounhill, Ayrshire, Scotland

James Cameron was born at Loudounhill Farm on October 19, 1806, the second son of John Cameron and Agnes Hamilton - a family of ten children. Since he was not the eldest son he would not inherit the farm. On December 13, 1835 he married Agnes Jamieson (born January 30, 1816 at Sornhill, Galston, Ayrshire), the daughter of William Jamieson and Mary Bryson.

James Cameron	Agnes Jamieson

They started farming at Knowe, Galston, Ayrshire. It was a small farm of 120 acres about three miles from Loudounhill. Knowe is just south of Darvel across the Irvine River on a hillside. From the farmyard one can look northeast and see Loudounhill.

Ayrshire, Scotland

THE KNOWE As seen from Darvel, from the front and the back of the house

Historically, Darvel was first mentioned in 1509 when the Loudoun family were given jurisdiction over the Twenty Merk lands of Darnvaill. It was “on the north bank of Irwin Flewis, ye gratest stream in all Cunningham”. The village probably got its name from the Old Scotch “Dar” meaning stream in the vale. The village and surrounding area suffered through the battles of the Covenanters during the 17th Century.

There was a school built in 1781. It appears that the people of Darvel encouraged learning. Alexander Fleming (penicillin) got his early education in Darvel. Religion played a big part in the lives of people in the valley. There were several churches in the village including Quoad Sacra Parish Church, which was dedicated in Nov. 1888. Camerons were among those on the building committee and at the laying of the cornerstone. Weaving was the main employment in the village, and in the mid 1870’s lace weaving was introduced - Darvel Lace is known worldwide. Gas came to Darvel in the 1850’s, but they did not get train service until 1896.

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