AYR GUILDRY CELEBRATESITS 700TH ANNIVERSARY
Allan Dorans
Ayr Guildry, founded in 1325, the oldest voluntary organisation in Ayr, celebrated its 700th anniversary this year with a Civic Reception hosted by the Provost of South Ayrshire, Councillor Iain Campbell, at County Buildings.
The Guildry came into existence following the Royal Charter granted by King William the Lion in 1205, which proclaimed Ayr as a Royal Burgh, and granted privileges including the right to own land and to trade and hold a market, to Burgesses, who in return paid taxes and provided men and arms, if necessary, to the King to protect his castle in Ayr.
This developed into the right to promote and regulate trade, to agree the price that goods could be bought and sold, adjudication in trade disputes, the granting of minor building and completion warrants, and the qualification of tradesmen and apprentices. The influence of the Guidry was far reaching in all aspects of civil society.
Throughout its history, the Guildry has been actively involved in the governance of Ayr providing Magistrates and Members of the Town Council. Up until the reorganisation of Local Government in 1975, the Dean of the Guild sat as an unelected Member of the Town Council and was regarded as the second citizen of Ayr, after the Provost. The formal relationship between the Guildry and local Council ended in 1991 when the Chief Executive of Kyle and District Council ceased to be the Clerk to the Guildry.
The Guildry has also been at the forefront of attracting business and visitors to Ayr including the formation of an Attractions Committee to stage The Pageant of Ayrshire in 1934, which attracted tens of thousands of visitors to the town for many years. In 1948 the Guildry was responsible for the establishment of the Ayr Chamber of Commerce, and in 2005 was heavily involved in Ayr800, the year-long celebrations of the 800th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Charter.
Today, the Guildry exists as a historical organisation and continues to recognise the importance of trade skills by sponsoring the annual Apprentice of the Year Award at Ayrshire College, promoting trade by judging and awarding a trophy to the best presented retail shop window every Christmas, and making small donations to appropriate local causes.
To celebrate its 700th anniversary, the Guildry has produced ten impressive high quality cast bronze commemorative plaques which will be placed at locations of historic interest throughout the town. These include the site of the original Ayr Station in North Harbour Street, the site of Corney & Barrow, Scotland’s oldest working wine cellar, established in 1766 by Members of the Guildry, and the original Woolworths store in Ayr High Street.
The Guildry has also had and continues to maintain a close relationship with the Auld Kirk of Ayr. During the 16th century, the Guild Court had special responsibility for keeping safe the vestments, books, and chalices of the parish church. In 1861, the Guildry donated a magnificent stained-glass window to the Auld Kirk displaying the various crafts and trades of that time. This window is in the Trades Loft of the Kirk. In 2024, the Guildry made a significant donation towards having the window restored to its former magnificence.
To celebrate this ancient and enduring relationship, there will be a special commemorative service held at the Auld Kirk on Sunday 5th October.
The Dean of the Guild, former Member of Parliament for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock, Allan Dorans, said, “Ayr Guildry has been active in the history, culture and development of the town for the last 700 years and we are proud to be able to maintain that link and tradition in the future.”
The Guildry is hosting a public exhibition with a display of Guildry-related items and photographs at the Heritage Hub, 1-3 High Street, Ayr between 3rd and 27th September.
