For WMA Group
Review list
Everything waiting for approval, in one place. Nothing on the site goes public until every item here is signed off.
Brian's decisions
Answered on 29 October
All applied. Each one can still be changed in Loudoun Hall settings.
| Question | Set to now | Background |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Build date | Late 15th century: Built late in the century for the Tait family, merchants of Ayr | Brian: "Late 15th century". Historic Environment Scotland says c.1513. Close (2025): first recorded 1517, probably built 15 to 20 years earlier. |
| 2. Mary Queen of Scots | WMA's stance: she stayed here | Brian: "There is enough evidence to surmise she did stay." Stated plainly, with the doubts still shown on the Queen page. |
| 3. The WMA chapter | In August 2026, WMA Group Ltd became the proud owners of Loudoun Hall, one of Ayr's oldest and most historically significant buildings. Recognising both its remarkable heritage and its untapped potential, WMA Group acquired the property from the Loudoun Hall trustees with a commitment to safeguarding its future. Our vision is to breathe new life into this extraordinary building, carefully preserving its historic character while creating a welcoming venue for weddings, celebrations, cultural events and community activities. By giving Loudoun Hall a sustainable new purpose, we hope to ensure that this important part of Ayr's heritage can be enjoyed and appreciated for generations to come. | Waiting on Brian's own two or three lines. |
| 4. Rob Close fact check | Not wanted | Brian, 29 October. |
| 5. The 1563 newspaper story | Shown on the Schools page, marked as made up. Reads without the French line (Brian does not have it) | Lightly tidied for children. |
| 6. The tobacco line | Left out | Brian, 29 October: no. The Virginia tobacco trade is still mentioned, without the line on enslaved labour. |
| 7. Cartoons with Brian's voice | Yes | Brian, 29 October. |
The timeline
Every chapter and its sources
| Chapter | Status | Sources | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late 15th century · The Tait family build a stone townhouse | Approved by WMA | Close 2025, Fergusson 1950 | WMA chose "late 15th century" (29 October). Supported by Close and Fergusson. Historic Environment Scotland gives c.1513. |
| 1528–39 · The Sheriff of Ayr moves in | Sourced | Historic Environment Scotland, Fergusson 1950, Close 2025 | Close suggests the wing may date from 1539. The official 1534 date is used. |
| 1530s–1622 · Wine and sweets for the Sheriff | New or corrected | Fergusson 1950, Close 2025 | New chapter from Fergusson and Close. |
| 1563 · The Queen stays at Loudoun Hall | Approved by WMA | South Ayrshire Council, Loudoun Hall history page, 2013 article, Fergusson 1950 | WMA's stance (Brian, 29 October): she stayed here. Stated plainly, with one honest line noting that no record names the house. |
| 1563–1658 · Fear of witchcraft in Ayr | New or corrected | Survey of Scottish Witchcraft, Gordon Young, WMA Group | New chapter from WMA's article, checked against the Survey of Scottish Witchcraft and Gordon Young's own record of the courtyard. |
| 1622–66 · A Sheriff's office sold to the King | New or corrected | Fergusson 1950, Close 2025 | Corrected. The earlier demo said the house was sold to the Crown in 1622. Fergusson shows it was the office of Sheriff, sold in 1634. |
| 1638–1688 · The Covenanters | New or corrected | WMA Group, Highland Host records, 1678, Ayr Martyrs records, Fergusson 1950 | New chapter from WMA's article. The Ayr martyrs and the 1678 accusation are checked. The account of John Welwood preaching in Muir's home (deposition of 22 February 1678) still needs its source. |
| 1666–1770 · The Muirs, merchants and Provosts | Approved by WMA | Fergusson 1950, Close 2025, Highland Host records, 1678, Parliaments of Scotland | John Muir, as WMA's Covenanters article says. The 1678 government record, the Parliament roll and the 1666 title deed all say John. Fergusson and Close say James, which looks like a slip. The tobacco line follows WMA's choice (leave it out). |
| 1660s–1700s · Smugglers and the secrets of the harbour | New or corrected | South Ayrshire Council, Loudoun Hall history page, National Trust for Scotland, WMA Group | New chapter from WMA's article, checked against South Ayrshire Council and the National Trust for Scotland. The tunnels are kept clearly as folklore. |
| 1770–1936 · From fine house to crowded tenement | New or corrected | Fergusson 1950, Close 2025 | New chapter from Fergusson and Close. |
| 1937–56 · Saved from demolition and restored | New or corrected | Historic Environment Scotland, Fergusson 1950, Close 2025, WMA Group | Expanded from Fergusson and Close. The yacht detail is from Fergusson. |
| 1960s–70s · Ayr Folk Club fills the Hall with music | Sourced | Destination South Ayrshire, Close 2025 | |
| 1980 · Category A listed | Sourced | Historic Environment Scotland | |
| 1990s–2019 · Clubs, concerts and a quiet spell | New or corrected | Close 2025, Historic Environment Scotland | New chapter from Close. |
| 2026 · WMA Group becomes the new custodian | Approved by WMA | WMA Group | Brian's own words, 29 October 2026. |
Still to come
Content from WMA
- WMA's own photographs to replace every reference image
- Wedding capacity (70) to confirm against the fire risk assessment
- Prices: weddings, events and studios (£15 to £20 an hour)
- Access details: step-free route, lift or platform, toilets
- Parking and walking route from the station
- Catering and exclusive-use rules for weddings
- Audio scripts approved, then translations and recordings
- Real events for What's On, to replace the samples
- Permission to use the 1940s and 1950s photographs (source and copyright holder)
- Folk Years: check the spelling of "Tannanzie" and the other local performers
- Covenanters: the source for the Welwood deposition (22 February 1678) and Helen Leslie
- Witchcraft trials: a source for Janet McAllister (executed 1618?) if WMA wants her included
- Privacy, cookies, accessibility and Hall Guide pages completed
- The availability calendar connected to WMA's own bookings
Sources
- Historic Environment Scotland, listed building LB21656
- James Fergusson, "Loudoun Hall and its Owners", Ayrshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, 1950
- Rob Close, "Loudoun Hall, Ayr: an introductory history", July 2025
- Article on Mary Queen of Scots in Ayrshire, 450th anniversary, 28 August 2013 (supplied by WMA)
- South Ayrshire Council, Loudoun Hall history page
- Destination South Ayrshire
- WMA Group
- John R. Elder, "The Highland Host of 1678" (1914), from the records of the Committee at Ayr
- The Parliaments of Scotland: commissioners for the burgh of Ayr
- Records of the Ayr Martyrs (covenanter.org.uk; Executed Today)
- The Survey of Scottish Witchcraft, 1563 to 1736, University of Edinburgh
- National Trust for Scotland: Culzean's smuggling histories
- Gordon Young, artist (gordonyoung.info)