TROON, a town (flourishing) and quoad sacra parish (for a time), in the parish of Dundonald, district of Kyle, county of Ayr; containing, with the village of Loans, '2306 inhabitants, of whom 1409 are in the town, 9 miles (S. W. by W.) from Kilmarnock. This place is situated on the shore, about five miles south of the port of Irvine, of which it is considered a creek. It has within the present century risen into great importance under the auspices of the Duke of Portland. A charter for the construction of a harbour was obtained in the reign of Queen Anne, by William FuUarton, Esq., proprietor of the lands of FuUarton, in the parish; but no measures were taken for carrying that design into effect. The advantages of its situation for the purposes of a harbour, also, induced the merchants and citizens of Glasgow to make advantageous proposals to the proprietor for granting them a lease of the adjacent lands, in order that they might accomplish this desirable object; but their offers were rejected. In this state things remained till the year 1808, when the Duke of Portland, who had purchased the estate of FuUarton, embarked in the undertaking, which after great perseverance was finally completed, at a cost of more than £100,000. Since that period the town has progressively increased in importance as a place of maritime trade; and the facilities for sea-bathing which it affords, have materially contributed to its prosperity, by rendering it the resort of numerous visiters during the season. The town is romantically situated on a promontory projecting in a semicircular curve for about a mile and a quarter into the Firth of Clyde. It is neatly built, containing many substantial houses, several handsome cottages for summer residences, and numerous respectable inns and lodging-houses for the accommodation of visiters. A public library is supported by subscription. The post-office has a regular delivery; two branch banks have been established, and there is great facility of communication afforded by the lines of the Glasgow and Ayrshire railway company, and by steamers. On a site commanding a fine view of the Firth and the adjacent country, was an octagonal building called the Temple, erected by Mr. FuUarton for the entertainment of his friends; but it was demolished about fifteen years ago. The principal trade of the port is, the exportation of coal from the mines belonging to the Duke of Portland and others in the parish and vicinity of Kilmarnock, also of pig-iron from the iron-works at Glengarnock; and the importation of timber. The coal is conveyed from the various works by the Kilmarnock and Troon branch railway, and on an average about 180,000 tons are annually shipped . the quantity of timber imported exceeds 5000 tons. The number of vessels registered as belonging to the port is fifteen, of the aggregate burthen of 3800 tons; and the vessels that enter and leave the harbour, in the course of the year, are of 108,000 tons' aggregate burthen. In 1843 the foreign trade was 7363 tons; in 1844, 16,779 tons; and in 1845, '25,150 tons. Troon harbour, which is easy of access, affords safe anchorage for vessels requiring sixteen feet depth at low water; and at the pier, at right angles with the rock, constructed by the duke, and measuring 800 feet in length, is a depth of nineteen feet at low water. A spacious wet-dock has been formed, in which vessels of the greatest size may ride in safety from all storms; there are also two dry-docks, the larger of which is 300 feet in length, and of proportionate width. A lighthouse has been erected, which is maintained from the funds of the harbour; and on Lady Isle, south-west of the ])()rt, two lofty pillars have been raised as a guide to the entrance. These also point to good anchorage and shelter from north-west gales, for vessels that may be too far to leeward to gain the harbour with these winds. There are an extensive yard for building and repairing vessels, a large sail and rope manufactory, and other works connected with the trade of the port. The district of Troon was separated from the parish of Dundonald for ecclesiastical purposes, under an act of the General Assembly, in 1S36. It was about four miles in length, and nearly two miles in average breadth. Two-thirds of the land are arable and under good cultivation, and the remainder is rough pasture and waste: there are sixty acres of plantations. FuUarton House, the property of the Duke of Portland, is a handsome mansion, built by the late proprietor, William Fullarton, Esq., and pleasantly situated, commanding a fine view of the Ayrshire coast: in 1801 it was for some time the residence of Louis-Philippe, late King of the French. Ecclesiastically this town is in the presbytery of Ayr and synod of Glasgow and Ayr. The church, a handsome and substantial structure, was erected in 1837, by subscription, and contains 1000 sittings: the expense, including a spire subsequently raised, amounted to £1750. The minister, who is appointed by the male communicants, has a stipend of £150, of which £20 are paid by the Duke of Portland, and the remainder derived from seat-rents and contributions. There are places of worship for members of the Free Church and the United Presbyterian Church. A school for the accommodation of 230 children has been erected at a cost of £335, of which sum one-half was paid by government, and onehalf raised by subscription. The village of Loans is described under its own head. There are some remains of the ancient church of Crosbie, the burial-ground of which is still used by the inhabitants: David, brother of James Hamilton who shot the Regent Murray, was buried there; and the castle of Crosbie, now a shapeless ruin, was for some time the residence of Sir William Wallace.