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PB the Cairn
Lochwinnoch
The purpose of the site is to help those new to the village to connect with its past and for those who have left for pastures new to remember what was left behind
Auld Simon
The gallery below has a selection of old and new images of this iconic Lochwinnoch landmark.
Auld Simon
A wall 9ft high was built around the churchyard in 1781. The man provides a useful yardstick to guage the height of the wall. This is probably one of the oldest images of Auld Simon.
Auld Simon
At one time the clock face showed 24hrs, however it was disliked and the old 12hr face was reinstalled.
Auld Simon Weather Vane
The weather vane consists of a plough which turns in the wind. The direction arms are a diamond (North), Rose (South), Shamrock (East) and a Thistle (West). On the thistle arm is inscribed the date 5th Jan. 1957. This replica was made by the village blacksmith Jim Brown. An early version of the weather vane included a sheaf of wheat and a wee robin.
Auld Simon
Auld Simon has been photographed to death. The following is a collection of old and new images of this iconic Lochwinnoch landmark.
Auld Simon
Auld Simon
Auld Simon
Early view of the Churchyard. The grass is badly in need of being cut and two workmen can be seen right of centre. One is standing on a trestle and the other to his right is sitting on it. It looks as if they might be cleaning up one of the headstones.
Auld Simon
The churchyard as it is today. The headstone the workmen were working on is gone as are many others. Some have been laid flat for safety reasons other just seem to be missing. Of those that are left so many are becoming unreadable due to either wear or algae. They are an important historical record and in my view it would be nice for them to be professionally restored to be at least readable.
Auld Simon
Before, to be followed by After!
Auld Simon
After!
Auld Simon
The classic narrow angle view of Auld Simon.
Auld Simon
For a change I took a much wider angle view of Auld Simon
Auld Simon
This is the headstone of Dr Andro Crawford author of the "Cairn of Lochwinyoch Matters: Colleckit betwix 1827 and 1837." He was born in 1786 and died in 1854. Our site is named in his honour with our initials "p" and "b" appended to "thecairn".
Auld Simon
The memorial for the McDowalls
Auld Simon
A rather poignant memorial for two young lives lost so early.
Auld Simon
Headstone for the Caldwell family of Lochside. The inscription at the bottom is for Mary who was 18 when she was swept away crossing the Loch Bridge. She was on horseback behind a man servant who was also drowned. This terrible event occurred on 18th Nov 1767 as she, her mother and brother were heading for a ball in the village. The tragedy is compounded by the fact she was engaged to be married and her fiancé witnessed the event from the Lochwinnoch side of the bridge.
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