We have had a number of enquiries as to the origins of
the name "Troon". This is a reference to it which was found in the
Carnegie Library in Ayr.
The following extract is taken from the first page of a book by
Rev J Kirkwood of Troon dated 1876.,
"We have often been asked, "What is the meaning of the word TROON"
and, "Why do your country neighbours persist in calling it THE TROON?"
The first satisfactory information we had on the subject was from
two Gaelic scholars, with whom we were spending a day amidst the
lovely scenes of Glen Lyon. We were told that 'Strone' meant 'a
nose or bill'; but when the definite article was put to it the 's'
was dropped, and it became 'an Trone' or the bill. (In charters
dated as early as 1344 the spelling is TRONE.)
A glance at our situation will shew how aptly this describes the
general appearance of the promontory. It closely resembles the beak
of a bird, lying on its side, with the hook turned northwards. And
it is probably called the bill because of its extent, stretching
as it does for fully a mile into the sea...." |
Troon & Ayrshire Family History Society