| Shaw Monument | |
The Shaw Monument
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| Location | Prestwick, South Ayrshire |
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| Country | Scotland |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | Shaw Tower |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Closed to the public |
| Heritage designation | Category B listed |
| Architect(s) | Unknown |
| Architectural type | Tower |
| Completed | Prior to 1775 |
| Specifications | |
| Height | 50 feet or 20 metres |
| Materials | Mortared rubble masonry |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Monkton & Preswick |
The Shaw Monument is an 18th century folly standing about 1 mile East of Prestwick,[1] overlooking Prestwick Airport in South Ayrshire, Scotland.
Contents |
The Shaw Monument, sometimes known as 'Shaw Tower', located on rising ground (NS 36778 26122) near the Prestwick Airport Control Tower, was built at some point prior to 1775[2] by the then laird of Shaw, a keen falconer,[3] in order that he could follow the sport from its top in his old age when he was no longer able to join in the chase.[4][5] A faint portrait or simulacrum of a man in profile holding a falcon on a panel at the base of the tower may support this theory or may have given rise to it. The tower is a category B listed building.[6] The low lying 'Lands of Shaw' were clearly visible from the tower given its elevated and prominent location.
The tower is round, around 50ft or 20m high, and is built of well mortared rubble masonry, typical 18th century follys. The internal spiral staircase is in poor condition. The tower is capped by a 'crown-like' top and originally had a viewing platform.[4] The door was blocked up in the 1930s because of the poor state of the staircase.[7] No door is now present, however the monument is doubly enclosed within railings and a fence.
The tower has a coped cylindrical base, with a doorway to the East, flanked by a barred window opening and an infilled opening; the shaft of the tower is stepped in from the base and three vertically aligned windows sit above the doorway; a coped cornice lies over a well machicolated eaves course.[6] A very worn panel to the west appears to have a faint image of a man holding a bird of prey.
The monument is shown on OS maps as standing on the line of a hedge until quite recently without any obvious access lane or footpath marked.
Thomson's map of 1832 marks 'Shaw Monument' clearly as a locally significant structure.[8] Armstrong's Map of 1775 shows, but does not name the monument.[9]
These lands were first recorded in 1475; a mill was present at the site.[10] The first Lairds of Prestwickshaw were Thomas Somirwell in 1562 and in 1599 James Somervell, was heir to 'Prestwickschaws' as grandson of John Somervell of Cambusnethan. Adam Stewart held the lands in 1597[10] and in 1613 by William Wallace, a Burgess of Ayr. 1616 saw John Stewart holding Prestwickshaws and other nearby properties. Circa 1677 James Wallace and his wife Anna Kennedy were in residence with their son James.[11] Huw Montgomerie of Eglinton obtained the lands upon the death of James Wallace and later James's son, Robert Wallace, purchased the lands back and circa 1720 his sister Eliza held the lands with her husband Thomas Macdonald.[11] Circa 1730 William Adair held the lands; his first wife was Anna Kennedy and his second Elizabeth Crawfurd.[12]
It is not clear which of these lairds was responsible for building the Shaw Monument.
Mesolithic flints have been found near here (NS 369 261) on the 50ft contour line.[13]
Shaw Farm was demolished circa 1960 and Shawfarm Industrial Estate built on the land. The Pow Burn runs through the old lands of Shaw, now running through a culvert that lies under the runway.[14]
Circa 1700 a Somerville, John Somerville, purchased the Kennox Estate near Stewarton.