William Ferguson had amassed a considerable fortune as
a medical practitioner working in London. His high standing
in the community led to the post Provost of Ayr for a number
of years. It was at that time William Ferguson had the older
portion of the present house built and named the land Doonholm.
On his death in 1776, William Ferguson left Doonholm to
his eldest daughter Elizabeth who married Malcolm Fleming
of Barochan in 1780. The estate was bought by John Ferguson
(a merchant in Calcutta) in 1783 who was a nephew of William
Ferguson. The death of John Ferguson in 1790 saw the lands
of Doonholm return to the Fleming's of Barochan. The Fleming's
sold Doonholm to John Hunter in 1796.
An addition in 1818 to Doonholm House gives the present
day look. By the middle of the 1800s, Doonholm had been
purchased by Lord Blackburn (one of Her Majesty's judges).
The death of Lord Blackburn in 1896 saw Doonholm sold again,
probably to the Kennedy's, the present day owners.
Doonholm House and surrounding grounds are private and
not open to the public. The most popular and scenic canoe
route in Ayrshire is from the Riverside Inn next to the
A77, 5 miles south of Ayr, down the River Doon through Doonholm
Estate and Alloway.
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