Down the Lane I'll Walk....

This is the route to come into Troon.

Take a left off the Kilmarnock Road, or a right off the A77, and head for the Village of Dundonald. Drive up the hill, and as you climb over the peak, there in front of you is a vista that you will never tire of.

When we were little, it was a treat to come back from Kilmarnock, or Glasgow, and go home "over the hill". In those days there was no layby. You pulled in to the set back edge of the farmer's field and hoped that no one came over and round the corner too fast.

Now there are two laybys. Each providing a fastastic stop off point to look from.

Walking to the top of the hill take a bit more effort, but just the difference from being off the road is worth it. It's far enough away from the road, for there to be no noise. All you can hear, is everything.

Bird sing, cows moo, sheep bleat, trains steam by, planes take off, cars roar down the by-pass. On a clear day it's possible to watch a train come out of Ayr, thru Prestwick, Troon and Barassie, and head for Irvine.

The view has changed over the years. Fields have disappeared and more houses have sprouted up, the town's shape has changed too - with the addition of a large supermarket, parking spaces, and new tall flats, set in spaces which before held only the smallest buildings.

One thing that remains the same and defining of this little town is the beautiful building that is Marr College. From this distance identifiable with the Green copper Dome, and looking elegant and regal.

Closer to, the "monstrous carbuncle" of an extension reduces it wonder. Hopefully we will hear shortly that this extension should be demolished and a new, more suitable and build in a classic style extension will be added and the internal rooms of the school modernised.

CharlesKerr Marr, was a Troon boy who made his fortune in America and left a fortune for the benefit and continuing education of the children of Troon. His bust still stands in the main entrance of the College. Children today, as well as being able to attend school in this classic building, can also claim funds from the Marr Trust to assist in their further education.