Sandbraes Park was once very different. It was just a croft area. The Tenants were the Mathie family.

Cottages at Sandbraes

Building the United Free Church.

“A field next to Miss Margaret Mathie’s home at Sandbraes House was identified by the building committee and estate factor and the Marquis of Graham offered the site. The foundation stone was laid on the 10th August 1909 by Baillie Kirkpatrick and the opening service was held on 24th June 1910.“

A full history of the church will following later this year.

Captain James Mathie laid out the first putting green, seen above.

The putting green was ploughed and potatoes were planted during the war. Some years later the land was given to the village by the family which also build the house at the shore.

Click Here and Listen to Bill and Aileen Mclaughlin with Jill Shand talk about living in Sandbraes

Sandbraes Park

In September 1961 Mr Crookes wrote to Whiting Bay Improvements applying for permission to have Pony and Donkey rides on the shore, during the season of 1962. “While the committe felt that they were not in a position to either grant or withhold permission, Mr Crookes proposed venture was met with unanimous approval”

The Park has a long history of many recreation uses, the much loved ponies, fund raising events and football, to name a few. The small enclosed Children’s playarea was a community initiative. The park is partly a long lease and partly owned by the village. Whiting Bay Hall Committee of Management manage the park, supported by the Improvements association. The Improvements also built and maintain the excellent toilet facillity at the park.

The Wind Sock supports the helicopters landing. On frequent occasions the helicopter arrives at the park to receive patients requiring urgent medial care. At these times the coast guard clears the park.

The next two images below show the first Helicopter which landed in the park. This is thought to be early 1960’s before Seawinds which was built in 1963.

Walking across the park towards the church, many readers will remember the Scripture Union. Camping at Kingscross is still an important summer event for children and the adults who organise the camps. In earlier days of the CSSM “Mothers” would look after the children. Boarding used to take place at Bute Rock and Woodburn.

Activities at the park were a big part of the summer for many local children and regular visiting children, the latter often spent the whole summer here. Leaflets were given out in the village advertising their arrival. Children would walk along to the park collecting flowers and shells on the way to decorate the Sand Pulpit

C.S.S.M. Childrens Special Seaside Mission The above image is of a performance put on for parents in 1955. Favourite activities included table tennis, puddocks and sausage sizzles. If it rained it would be held in the church or Bute Rock. But we all know it never rains in Whiting Bay!

The Scripture Union join in with the village fun week.

Sandbraes Tea Room and Tennis Courts

Just beyond the Sand Pulpit was the site of the Tea Rooms in the early 1950’s they were run by Gladys Miller followed by Ian Robertson. The tennis courts remained for some years but were not maintained. The Royal Hotel and The Whiting Bay Hotel both had busy tennis courts. This is now a Stables still with the connected Robertson family.

Moving along the Sandbraes road a Scottish Water treatment plant was put in during the late 1990’s on the sea side. The road ends at the last property and becomes a track. From here to the other side of the bridge was originally owned by the property owners over the bridge. It was taken over by the Improvements association.

The Union Bridge

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald 22nd October 1909

“A substantial new horse bridge has been erected over the mouth of the burn separating Whiting Bay from Kingscross. The building committee consisted of Messers John Shaw, John Cook, Archd. McMcKenzie, junr., Neil Currie (hon treasurer), and P. Downie (hon secretary). The committee were heartily supported by funds and labour on the one side as far as Lamlash, and on the other as far south as Largiebeg. Visitors from Glasgow, Rutherglen, and Paisley, who take a pride in giving their practical support to improving the amenities of the Bay, put their corner-stones in in the shape of guineas, and acting artisens at a concert (Bailie Kirkpatrick in the chair), at which £11 7s 3d was drawn. The committee recieved £28 16s 11d, and paid away £23 5s 4d. The balance of £5 11s 7d is deposited in the Bank, Lamlash for the upkeep of the bridge. The Bridge was opened for traffic on Saturday last by Prof. Murdoch, late of Glasgow University in presence of twelve men who had brought their carts with them and twenty four who brought their tools with them. The professor congratulated them on the buisness like manner and the enthusiastic spirit in which they united and put their brawny energies shoulder to the wheel.

The mason work, stone & cement, was done by James Murray and the wood work by Messrs McNicol & Boa. The horse & cart man selected for the speed test, had to back along the road for a considerable distance to get “enough way on”, the horse in its eagerness, first shed the driver then one wheel after another and the test had to be abandoned. The result was that a rule was made saying that horses must cross at walking pace“

Shaw’s Road to Kingscross

This track is a delight to walk up, especially in the spring where a host of wild flowers fill every inch of the banking and the sounds of bird song fills the air. Look back and enjoy the delightful views. The first property on the right is Thornhill. Originally a croft of the Kerr family, this then became the home of Peter Downie the headmaster. Peter Downie’s name appears in many documents, he worked hard towards improving the village as well as improving young minds. The next family to live here were the McLardy family. Donnie McLardy told of an important whist drive held in the house. All neighbours were invited along and the purpose was to raise funds to repair the Union Bridge which had been damaged. 12 tables were set up and funds raised were banked.

The Russell family were also past residents of Thornhill. They must be included because they not only made a big difference to the village, but an even more important one to the Island. Click here for more about Iain Russell

Other crofts on this trail from the early settlers who were allocated plots following the clearances in 1830 are, Planetree – Robert MacKenzie > Donald Shaw > Miss Shaw, hence the name of the track Shaw’s Road and others called it Planetree. Auchenrowan is the next property – Hugh Mackenzie, 1855 is listed as Owner Occupier of House and Garden. later the Kay family. It would be reasonable to assume the original lease was given to the elder of these brothers families generally worked together.

As you arrive at the top of Shaw’s Road you are walking up and along the road with land on your right recently transferred into the ownership of the Forestry, formerly Whitefield past owners, Craig. >Spiers.> Reid.> Paterson.> Forestry

On your left the land which you walk through is attached to the Knowe Farm the McKenzie family.

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The Wishing Bridge

‘The wishing bridge has a long history of use. It was the connection between the people of Kingscross and Auchincairn. The above image is from a glass plate taken by Alan Cook’s father John, Alan is remembered as the long served postmaster at Kingscross post office and shop. The image is taken before 1850 and the bridge looks much the same today.

Whiting Bay Improvements made several repairs to the bridge, in 1964 Harry Bowden replaced hand rails and also replaced planking which was supplied by Mr Bob Haddow. 1965> A report was given on the state of the bridge. ” This was in poor condition and the committee was advised that Steel beams and concrete were needed for lasting repairs” Again Harry Bowden of Argentine Guest House carried out the necessary repairs.

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The Bochan Bridge History

Roads History

“In 1830 there was no main carriage road through the teritory. That from Brodick, through Lamlash terminated at Gortonalister. From there a track to Whiting Bay followed a higher route than the present main road, passing near Knowe farm and thence fording the Kings Cross Burn before finding its way via Auchincairn into Whiting Bay.

This route was probably maintained until after 1878 when compulsory labour (statute labour) or the equivalent in cash, ceased. It was about then that the local authority constructed the bridge across the Burn at the site of the present one which was rebuilt in the early 1930’s. The new road runs straight as a die to the point where the branch to Kings Cross Point leaves it. Thereafter it twists and turns as it runs down the slope, across the burn and down to the Whiting Bay shore. This portion already partially realigned in 1966 is planned for reconstruction in 1970.”

Click Here for THE FAIRIES: THE STORY  From The East of Arran by A. Boyd Scott.

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The Arran Heritage Museum has also been a great resource for us with their extensive archive, there is always something new to discover. We also give important research back to the museum

We hope you have enjoyed our tales and trails of The 3 Bridges. As more information is found we will continue to update this history. If you have information to share with us, please Contact Us. we would love to hear from you,