The Preceptory & Priory of Crosbie No 78 : Home

The Consecration & Dedication of The Preceptory & Priory of Crosbie

was held in the Chapel, Masonic Hall, Troon,

on Saturday 24th May A.D. 1947. A.O. 829.

By the Very Eminent District Grand Prior, Fr A.R. Cunningham, K.C.T.

in the presence of The Most Eminent & Reverend Grand Master,

The Right Honourable, The Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, K.T. C.M.G. G.C.T.

Crosbie Kirk

The Crest of the Preceptory and Priory of Crosbie features the old Crosbie Kirk, in the New Statistical Account of 1837. Crosby Chapel is stated to be in the Manor of Crosby taken from the Anglo Saxon meaning Cross Bye signifying the dwelling place of the cross.

The Chapelry of Crosbie was built in 1681.The roof was blown off during a storm on the 25th January 1759 the same date as Robert Burns was born and it remained a burial ground till 1862. It had a reputation for ghosts and we read in a Epistle by John Laings

"But Sir,I ma let you know.

Lang Syne when I was forced to go,

by Crosbie Kirk to meet my Joe.

When it was dark I feared that Spunkies wad bestow on me their mark.

Crosbie Tower

Crosbie Castle (previously known as Crosbie or Crosby Castle) was a tower or fortalice built in the 13th or 14th centuries and resided in by the Fullarton of Irvine. It fell into ruin when Fullarton House was built in 1745 and was made into an ice house by the Duke of Portland. The fortalice is thought to have been owned by Sir Reginald Crawford, an uncle of Sir William Wallace. A story is told in Troon & Dundonald by Rev. J. Kirkwood of a night of mirth in Crosbie. It describes how, the next morning, Sir Reginald and Sir William Wallace went to Ayr to attend a summons by the English Governor when, at Kingcase in Prestwick, they discovered they had left the charter of peace behind at Crosbie. Wallace returned for it but, upon nearing Ayr a second time, learned that his uncle and several of the neighboring gentry had been treacherously seized and hanged. In revenge Wallace carried out the burning of the Barns of Ayr.

Venerable Preceptor

Ven. Fr. John Weir.