County Buildings is a municipal complex in Wellington Square,

Ayr Ayr ( ; ; , meaning "confluence of the River Àir"), is a town situated on the southwest coast of Scotland. A former royal burgh, today it is the administrative centre of South Ayrshire Council, and the historic county town of Ayrshire. With ...

, Scotland which serves as the headquarters and main meeting place of

South Ayrshire Council South Ayrshire Council (Scottish Gaelic: ''Comhairle Shiorrachd Àir a Deas'') is the local authority for South Ayrshire, one of the 32 council areas of Scotland. It was created in 1996, and now comprises eight wards, each with three of four dire ...

. The original structure, the former sheriff court at the eastern end of the complex, is Category A

listed building In the United Kingdom, a listed building is a structure of particular architectural or historic interest deserving of special protection. Such buildings are placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, Hi ...

, while the main office building at the western end of the complex, is a Category B

History

Early history

The earliest part of the complex is the sheriff court: it was designed by Robert Wallace in the

neoclassical style Neoclassicism, also spelled Neo-classicism, emerged as a Western cultural movement in the decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that drew inspiration from the art and culture of classical antiquity. Neoclassici ...

, built in

ashlar Ashlar () is a cut and dressed rock (geology), stone, worked using a chisel to achieve a specific form, typically rectangular in shape. The term can also refer to a structure built from such stones. Ashlar is the finest stone masonry unit, a ...

stone at a cost of £30,000 and was completed in 1818. The design involved a symmetrical main frontage with eleven bays facing onto Wellington Square with the end bays slightly projected forward; the central section of three bays featured a

tetrastyle A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls. This idea was widely used in ancient Greece and has influenced many cultu ...

portico A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls. This idea was widely used in ancient Greece and has influenced many cu ...

with

Ionic order The Ionic order is one of the three canonic classical order, orders of classical architecture, the other two being the Doric order, Doric and the Corinthian order, Corinthian. There are two lesser orders: the Tuscan order, Tuscan (a plainer Doric) ...

columns supporting an

entablature An entablature (; nativization of Italian , from "in" and "table") is the superstructure of moldings and bands which lies horizontally above columns, resting on their capitals. Entablatures are major elements of classical architecture, and ...

and a

pediment Pediments are a form of gable in classical architecture, usually of a triangular shape. Pediments are placed above the horizontal structure of the cornice (an elaborated lintel), or entablature if supported by columns.Summerson, 130 In an ...

. The building was fenestrated with round headed windows on the ground floor and

sash window A sash window or hung sash window is made of one or more movable panels, or "sashes". The individual sashes are traditionally paned windows, but can now contain an individual sheet (or sheets, in the case of double glazing) of glass. History ...

s on the first floor. At roof level, there was a

cornice In architecture, a cornice (from the Italian ''cornice'' meaning "ledge") is generally any horizontal decorative Moulding (decorative), moulding that crowns a building or furniture element—for example, the cornice over a door or window, ar ...

, a

balustrade A baluster () is an upright support, often a vertical moulded shaft, square, or lathe-turned form found in stairways, parapets, and other architectural features. In furniture construction it is known as a spindle. Common materials used in its ...

and a large central

dome A dome () is an architectural element similar to the hollow upper half of a sphere. There is significant overlap with the term cupola, which may also refer to a dome or a structure on top of a dome. The precise definition of a dome has been a m ...

. Internally, the principal rooms were the two courtrooms. There was originally a prison at the rear of the building. The building continued to be used as a facility for dispensing justice but, following the implementation of the

Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889 The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889 ( 52 & 53 Vict. c. 50) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which was passed on 26 August 1889. The main effect of the act was to establish elected county councils in Scotland. In this it fol ...

, which established county councils in every county, one of the courtrooms was allocated for use as the meeting place of Ayrshire County Council.

Extension

In the early 1930s, county leaders decided to demolish the old prison and to extend the building to the west to provide bespoke offices for the county council. The foundation stone for the extension, which was much larger than the original building, was laid by the

Duke of York Duke of York is a title of nobility in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. Since the 15th century, it has, when granted, usually been given to the second son of List of English monarchs, English (later List of British monarchs, British) monarchs ...

, who was accompanied by the

Duchess of York Duchess of York is the principal courtesy title held by the wife of the Duke of York. Three of the eleven Dukes of York either did not marry or had already assumed the throne prior to marriage, while two of the Dukes married twice; therefore, th ...

, on 10 July 1931. It was designed by Alexander Mair in the neoclassical style and was completed in 1935. The design involved a symmetrical main frontage with seventeen bays facing towards the sea with the end three bays on either side slightly projected forward as

pavilion In architecture, ''pavilion'' has several meanings; * It may be a subsidiary building that is either positioned separately or as an attachment to a main building. Often it is associated with pleasure. In palaces and traditional mansions of Asia ...

s; the central section of three bays featured a tetrastyle portico with

piers Piers may refer to: * Pier, a raised structure over a body of water * Pier (architecture), an architectural support * Piers (name), a given name and surname (including lists of people with the name) * Piers baronets, two titles, in the baronetages ...

and Ionic order columns supporting an entablature and a pediment with a

coat of arms A coat of arms is a heraldry, heraldic communication design, visual design on an escutcheon (heraldry), escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard (the last two being outer garments), originating in Europe. The coat of arms on an escutcheon f ...

in the tympanum. It was fenestrated with sash windows on both floors and most of the first floor windows were enhanced with

balconies A balcony (from , "scaffold") is a platform projecting from the wall of a building, supported by columns or console brackets, and enclosed with a balustrade, usually above the ground floor. They are commonly found on multi-level houses, apartme ...

. Internally, the principal rooms were the council chamber and the committee rooms, which were named after the five burghs of the county, on the first floor. A memorial designed by

Pilkington Jackson Charles d’Orville Pilkington Jackson RSA, FRBS, FRSA (11 October 1887 – 20 September 1973) was a British sculptor prominent in Scotland in the 20th century. Throughout his career he worked closely with the architect Sir Robert Lorimer. He ...

, commemorating the lives of soldiers of the

Royal Scots Fusiliers The Royal Scots Fusiliers was a line infantry regiment of the British Army that existed from 1678 until 1959 when it was amalgamated with the Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment) to form the Royal Highland Fusiliers (Princess Ma ...

who had died in the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, was unveiled in the garden of the County Buildings in 1960.

Governance use

Following the abolition of Ayrshire County Council, the complex became a sub-regional office of

Strathclyde Regional Council Strathclyde ( in Welsh; in Gaelic, meaning 'strath alleyof the River Clyde') was one of nine former local government regions of Scotland created in 1975 by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and abolished in 1996 by the Local Govern ...

in 1975, and then, after the introduction of

unitary authorities A unitary authority is a type of local government, local authority in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Unitary authorities are responsible for all local government functions within its area or performing additional functions that elsewhere are ...

, it became the headquarters of

in 1996.

Composition

Ground floor

The ground floor of County Buildings features the main entrance hall consisting of two semi-circular staircases which lead to the debating chamber of South Ayrshire Council as well as leading to a number of committee rooms. The staircases feature a number of large windows which are of leaded stained glass. The Coat of Arms of the former Ayr County Council feature on the largest stained glass window whilst the remaining four windows feature the crests of the sixteen separate

Burgh A burgh ( ) is an Autonomy, autonomous municipal corporation in Scotland, usually a city, town, or toun in Scots language, Scots. This type of administrative division existed from the 12th century, when David I of Scotland, King David I created ...

s of Ayrshire. Portraits of

George Boyle, 4th Earl of Glasgow George Boyle, 4th Earl of Glasgow, GCH FRS (26 March 1766 – 6 July 1843), styled Lord Boyle until 1775, was a British peer. He was the son of John Boyle, 3rd Earl of Glasgow, and his wife, Elizabeth, the daughter of George Ross, 13th Lord ...

and C.G. Shaw line the north staircase and the south features portraits of

Sir James Fergusson, 6th Baronet Sir James Fergusson, 6th Baronet (14 March 1832 – 14 January 1907) was a British soldier, Conservative Party (UK), Conservative politician and colonial administrator. Background and education Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Fergusson was the ...

and

Hugh Montgomerie, 12th Earl of Eglinton Colonel Hugh Montgomerie, 12th Earl of Eglinton, KT (5 November 1739 – 14 December 1819), styled Lord Montgomerie from 1769 to 1796, was a British politician, military officer and composer. Early life Montgomerie was born on 5 November 1739. ...

First floor

The

fumed oak Ammonia fuming is a wood finishing process that darkens wood and brings out the grain pattern. It consists of exposing the wood to fumes from a strong aqueous solution of ammonium hydroxide which reacts with the tannins in the wood. The process ...

finished council chamber, committee rooms and members corridor are housed on the first floor of the building. The debating chamber of the council features sliding partition doors which were designed to permit the committee rooms on either side of the debating chamber to be opened up for increased space during the hosting of council functions. The county hall room features the Coat of Arms of the Ayr county alongside the Coat of Arms of South Ayrshire Council. The first floor also features the dining room and servery. Portraits of Lieutenant Colonel W.K. Hamilton-Campbell of Netherplace, John Claude Hamilton, Colonel Wallace of Busbie and Sir James Shaw, 1st Baronet are amongst some of the portraits displayed on the first floor of the building. A considerable amount of furnisher contained within County Buildings has been in use continuously since the building first opened. Since the creation of South Ayrshire Council in 1996 and the role the building has as the councils headquarters, portraits of all provosts of South Ayrshire Council are displayed on the first floor.

Flag flying days

Like over governmental buildings, County Buildings as the headquarters of South Ayrshire Council has specific

flag flying days A flag-flying day is a day, decreed officially or by tradition, that the national flag should be hoisted by every official agency in the country. Private citizens and corporations are also encouraged to fly the flag, rather than leaving the fla ...

. The flag flying days for County Buildings are: * The birthday of

Robert Burns Robert Burns (25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796), also known familiarly as Rabbie Burns, was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the List of national poets, national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. He is the be ...

- 25 January annually *

Commonwealth Day Commonwealth Day is the annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations, held on the second Monday in March. While the date holds some official status in select member states of the Commonwealth, observances of the date are not uniform, an ...

- second Monday in March annually * Anniversary of the

Declaration of Arbroath The Declaration of Arbroath (; ; ) is the name usually given to a letter, dated 6 April 1320 at Arbroath, written by Scottish barons and addressed to Pope John XXII. It constituted King Robert I's response to his excommunication for disobey ...

- 3 April annually * The birthday of the reigning

monarch A monarch () is a head of stateWebster's II New College Dictionary. "Monarch". Houghton Mifflin. Boston. 2001. p. 707. Life tenure, for life or until abdication, and therefore the head of state of a monarchy. A monarch may exercise the highest ...

Europe Day Europe Day is a day celebrating "peace and unity in Europe" celebrated on 5 May by the Council of Europe and on 9 May by the European Union. The first recognition of Europe Day was by the Council of Europe, introduced in 1964. The European Uni ...

, when the

European Flag The flag of Europe or European flag consists of twelve golden stars forming a circle on a blue field. It was designed and adopted in 1955 by the Council of Europe (CoE) as a symbol for the whole of Europe. Since 1985, the flag has also been ...

must be flown - 9 May annually * Anniversary of the reigning monarchs

Coronation Day Coronation Day is the day of the formal coronation, crowning of a monarch or its anniversary as observed as an annual commemoration or festival. The name is also frequently used for accession days, the dates or anniversaries of the formal assumpti ...

* The birthday of

King of Scots The monarchy of the United Kingdom, commonly referred to as the British monarchy, is the form of government used by the United Kingdom by which a hereditary monarch reigns as the head of state, with their powers regulated by the British cons ...

Robert the Bruce Robert I (11 July 1274 – 7 June 1329), popularly known as Robert the Bruce (), was King of Scots from 1306 until his death in 1329. Robert led Kingdom of Scotland, Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence against Kingdom of Eng ...

– 11 July annually *

Remembrance Sunday Remembrance Sunday is held in the United Kingdom as a day to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts. It is held on the second Sunday in Nov ...

- 2nd Sunday in November annually *

St Andrew's Day Saint Andrew's Day, also called the Feast of Saint Andrew or Andermas, is the feast day of Andrew the Apostle. It is celebrated on 30 November, during Scotland's Winter Festival. Saint Andrew is the disciple in the New Testament who introduc ...

(

Flag of Scotland The flag of Scotland (; , also known as St Andrew's Cross or the Saltire) is the national flag of Scotland, which consists of a white saltire Defacement (flag), defacing a blue field. The Saltire, rather than the Royal Standard of Scotland, i ...

to be flown and given priority) - 30 November annually * When meetings are held of South Ayrshire Council at County Buildings - once in every 12 weeks.

Art collection

Works of art in the county buildings include a portrait by

Daniel Macnee Sir Daniel Macnee Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, FRSE Royal Scottish Academy, PRSA LLD (4 June 1806, Fintry, Stirlingshire – 17 January 1882, Edinburgh), was a Scottish people, Scottish portrait painter who served as president of th ...

of Colonel John Hamilton of the

3rd Dragoon Guards The 3rd (Prince of Wales's) Dragoon Guards was a Cavalry regiments of the British Army, cavalry regiment in the British Army, first raised in 1685 as the Earl of Plymouth's Regiment of Horse. It was renamed as the 3rd Regiment of Dragoon Guards ...

, a portrait by

John Graham-Gilbert John Graham-Gilbert (1794 – 4 June 1866) was a Scottish portrait painter and art collector. Life Graham-Gilbert was born in Glasgow as John Graham, the son of David Graham a West India merchant and co-owner of Graham, Milne & Co who owned a ...

Archibald Montgomerie, 13th Earl of Eglinton Archibald William Montgomerie, 13th Earl of Eglinton, 1st Earl of Winton, KT, PC (29 September 18124 October 1861), styled Lord Montgomerie from 1814 to 1819, was a British Conservative politician. He was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1852 and ...

and a portrait by

George Reid Sir George Houston Reid (25 February 1845 – 12 September 1918) was a Scottish-born Australian and British politician, diplomat, and barrister who served as the fourth Prime Minister of Australia, prime minister of Australia from 1904 t ...

of Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant Colonel William Kentigern Hamilton-Campbell.

References

{{reflist Government buildings completed in 1818 Buildings and structures in Ayr Category A listed buildings in South Ayrshire Category B listed buildings in South Ayrshire

Court buildings in Scotland 1818 establishments in Scotland Neoclassical architecture in Scotland Listed government buildings in Scotland