Kirktonhall

Built in 1660 with subsequent additions and changes made in the following 3 centuries, Kirktonhall is the oldest home in West Kilbride. It is currently in private ownership and its being transformed internally back into a family home. It is a Grade “B” Listed Building.
It was built by the grandfather of Robert Simson who became a Professor of Mathematics at Glasgow University. The date stone on the lower wall of the back of the house which is on Main Street gives credibility to the building’s date. The lands were bought by Grandfather Simson with money one of his daughters supposedly found on his farmland at Thirdpart, a hamlet near Portencross. With his new riches he bought the estate that used to stretch way beyond the small parkland in front of the house we see today.
Professor Robert Simson was born in his grandfather’s house in 1687. He was the eldest of 17 sons! The unusual sundial now in front of Kirktonhall, was created by Robert to honour is parents, John and Agnes, as its design required the costly mathematical skills of someone like him to create such detail. The actual sundial is a Grade “A” Listed Monument and of a style particular to Scotland.
In 1789, the house was sold to the Frank Ritchie, a shipmaster from Greenock. His initials are above the front door when he instigated alterations to the original house. This family gave their name Ritchie Street to the upper section of Main Street leading to Yerton Brae.
A subsequent owner, Robert Barr of soft drinks fame, gifted the House and lands known locally as “The Glen” to the then council and the village in 1924. The house was used as an administration office by the various ruling councils but was closed as an office by North Ayrshire Council in 2007.
Several plans were generated to make use of the house but none came to pass. Kirktonhall was sold subsequently to a private buyer who is single handedly restoring the house as a family home once again.