Ochiltree, Ayrshire / Kay families

[Ayrshire tattie]

I"m researching Kay ancestors originally from Ochiltree in Ayrshire and would like to hear from anyone with connections with Kays in Ayrshire in the 1700's or 1800's, or with Ochiltree in general. The OPR's for Ochiltree throw up lots of results for the surname Kay. Although I'm Ayrshire born and bred I know very little about Ochiltree apart from it's quaint name and connection with "The House With The Green Shutters".
I have a James Kay born in Ochiltree c.1766. He married in Galston in 1813 and lived there until his death in 1857. On the 1841 and 1851 Censuses there is a John Kay of similar age living in Galston, also Ochiltree born. Both men were agricultural labourers. I'm thinking they could be brothers but haven't yet established a connection.
Donna.

[Currie]

Hello Donna,

While you’re waiting for a contact it may be worthwhile consulting the Statistical Accounts of Scotland for information about Ochiltree.

Ochiltree, Ayrshire. Account of 1791-99, volume 5, page 446
http://stat-acc-scot.edina.ac.uk/sas/sa ... &pagesize=

Ochiltree, Ayrshire. Account of 1834-45, volume 5, page 105
http://stat-acc-scot.edina.ac.uk/sas/sa ... &pagesize=

I found a Google Book titled “A contemplation of Lugar water, descriptive of the scenery of Ochiltree and Auchinleck” that sounded interesting, but as you can see, although colourful, it was a bit of a disappointment. http://www.google.com.au/books?id=5-hbA ... &q&f=false

All the best,
Alan

[Ayrshire tattie]

Thanks Alan for those leads. I think I'll also try the Carnegie Library in Ayr as I think it covers that part of Ayrshire.
All the best,
Donna.