FULLARTON, a quoad sacra parish (lately), in the
parish of Dundonald, district of Kyle, county of Ayr,
65 miles (W.) from Kilmarnock, and 1 1 (N.) from Ayr;
containing 3103 inhabitants. This place, which is situated
on the south-western bank of the river Irvine, derives
its name from its ancient proprietors, the Fullartons,
by one of whom a convent was founded in 1'240,
on the site of the present town, and amply endowed for
friars of the Carmelite order. The establishment continued
to flourish till the Reformation, when it was suppressed;
and while laying out the lands in allotments
for the erection of the town, vestiges of the ancient
building, consisting of the foundations of its walls, were
discovered near the mansion-house of the founder. The
town forms a populous suburb to the burgh of Irvine,
on the opposite bank of the river. It is well built, and
consists chiefly of two streets, one in a line extending at
right angles from the main street of Irvine, with which
it is connected by a handsome bridge; the other running
up at a right angle from the bridge, or parallel with
the river, and pointing towards Ayr: several smaller
streets diverge in various directions. Its situation on
the harbour of the Irvine gives to the place a very interesting
appearance, which is much heightened by the
beauty of the surrounding scenery, and the numerous
pleasing villas in the immediate vicinity.
A public library in connexion with Irvine is supported
by subscription. The inhabitants are chiefly seafaring
people, or employed in hand-loom weaving for the manufacturers
of Ayr and Glasgow, and in the various handicraft
trades connected with the wants of the neighbourhood.
Great facility of intercourse is afforded by the
Glasgow and Ayr railway, which has its Irvine station
here. In I707, William Fullarton, Esq., the superior,
obtained for the inhabitants a charter erecting the town
into a burgh of barony, with the privilege of two annual
fairs; but from the proximity of Irvine, the charter does
not appear to have been carried into effect. Fullarton
was separated from the parish, under an act of the General
Assembly, in 1838, and, with a part of the estate of
Shewalton, was formed for ecclesiastical purposes into a
distinct parish, since abolished, but now about to be
divided from Dundonald for both civil and ecclesiastical
purposes. The church, erected in 1838, on a site presented
by the Lord Justice General, is a handsome substantial
structure containing 900 sittings. The minister,
who is chosen by a committee of subscribers, has a stipend
of £88. 6. 8., derived from seat-rents and collec-
tions, and guaranteed by bond. A school in connexion
with the Established Church is supported by the General
Assembly, who allow the master a salary of £1.5, in addition
to the fees: the school-house, capable of containing
300 children, was erected at an expense of £.500, obtained
from the trustees of Dr. Bell's bequest for educational
purposes.