A BOOK detailing the history of Ayr and Alloway looks at the Birthplace of Robert Burns as well as the prominent features of the area. 

Jack Gillon, who is from Edinburgh, was invited to stay in Alloway last summer to explore the suburb of Ayr and to create AYR & ALLOWAY THROUGH TIME.

Speaking to the Ayr Advertiser Jack said: “I have done a few THROUGH TIME books. I was asked to write this one which meant I got a holiday in Alloway.

“I thought it would be an interesting project as it is not an area I am familiar with. I worked in Butlin’s a very long time ago. What I did was look up lot of local newspaper items and books.

“It took a couple of months to write the book and I started the project in August last year which is why we were over there. We stayed, for a few days, just along from Burns Cottage.

“I thought the subject would be something that would interest readers and that there was a good market for it. This will be my 18th book.”

Jack is a long term resident of Edinburgh and has worked as a Town Planner involved in the conservation of the city’s heritage of historic buildings for around thirty years.

He has an extensive knowledge of the city’s history and architecture. He writes extensively on the historical heritage of Scotland and has had several books published by Amberley.

Last summer he discovered Ayr is best known as the birthplace of poet Robert Burns (in the suburb of Alloway) but it has always been an important economic centre on Scotland’s South West coast. 

The town was established as a Royal Burgh in 1205, serving as the county’s central marketplace and harbour throughout the Medieval Period and has remained an important port throughout its history.

Jack’s next book ‘Secret Falkirk’ will be launched next month and he hopes to return to Ayr and Alloway to write more.