Kirkcowan – What's Going On?

Businesses & Occupations in Kirkcowan

In 1837, the following businesses and occupations within Kirkcowan parish were listed in Pigot Directory:

GENTRY AND CLERGY:

Captain William Charles Hamilton of Craighlaw

Mr. John Milligan of Tannilaggie

Mr. William Milligan of Kilhockadale

Rev. Anthony Stewart of Kirkcowan Parish Church

POST OFFICE:

Mr. Alexander Livingston, Postmaster. Letters arrived from all parts at 6:30 pm and mail was despatched daily at 4:30 pm.

VINTNERS AND HOTEL AND INN KEEPERS:

James McKeand

George McWilliam

John Milligan

Alexander Telfour, Halfway House.

SHOPKEEPERS AND TRADESMEN:

Michael Fulton, Grocer

James Gibson, Tailor

Alexander Hannah, Miller of Spittal (Clugston?)

William Hannah, Baker

Alexander Livingston, Master of the Parochial School ( & Postmaster)

John McCaig, Baker

William McCubbin, Joiner

John McFadden, Grocer

Alexander McKie, Grocer

James McLean, Tailor

Alexander McWilliam, Joiner and Cartwright

James McWilliam, Blacksmith

William McWilliam, Blacksmith

David Milligan, Boot and Shoemaker

John Milligan, Grocer

SHOPKEEPERS :

Robert Milligan, Grocer

William and Thomas Milroy, Woollen Manufacturers

David Murphy, Grocer and Spirit Dealer

William Robb, Boot and Shoemaker

William Steele, Stonemason

William Nicholson, Carrier, to Newton Stewart every Monday and Friday.

According to local memory, the numbers of shopkeepers and tradesmen within the village in the 1880’s were as follows:

Grocers: 6

Joiners: 2 (one being also a cartwright)

Blacksmiths: 2

Shoemakers: 2

Bakers: 2

Millers: 2

Tailors: 2

Vintners (hotel and innkeepers) :

By 1919, the owner of the Kirkcowan Arms (the present day Tarff Hotel) was Mr. Stewart, while Mr. Johnston had the Craighlaw Arms and Mr. Evans, a former butler at Craighlaw House, owned the Commercial Hotel.