Devol's Glen itself was once called Davol which is derived from the Gaelic Diabhoul, the name of the "evil one". The ravine and stream start some two and a half miles south of the town and the glen was regarded in the 19th century as being "rocky, wooded and romantic". At the top of the glen is Wallace's Loup, over which Sir William Wallace is reputed to have leaped on horseback, and there are several waterfalls throughout its course.
The Glen Burn was liable to regular flooding, and on one particular occasion in the 1870's carried down tons of stones and debris, blocking the bridge, and flooding an extensive area of Ardgowan Street. In 1926 Sir Hugh Shaw Stewart granted permission to cut down many of-the trees in the glen to case an acute fuel shortage on condition that the Town Council keep the course of the burn clear.

The Glen

Barr's Brae was one part of what was known as the "Pathway to the shore". This pathway started in Kilmacolm, came through Strathgryfe, past the present golf course and finished at the shore in what is now the health centre carpark

The brae is said to take it's name from John Barr, a member of the first appointed Town's council in 1775. John Barr was a clock maker and examples of his work are now collectors pieces. Unfortunately I have no photographs of examples of his work or any more details.

Erected in 1876 there is also mention of the "Glenn Boy's Well complete with a cup on a chain. The area was worked on by local people to bring it back to a popular beauty spot including James Boyd, Edward Burns, John Crossan, and Duncan Carnegie

This page last modified on Thursday, April 28, 2005

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