The lands of Airds are referred to in historical references from the 16th Century. The name "Airds", from a Scots word meaning a hill, or high place, appears as a place name in a number of locations. making it difficult to attribute references to the Crossmichael location as opposed to the various alternative local sites bearing the same name, notably Airds of Kells (formerly known as Nether Airds and a listed building) and the long lost site of Upper Airds, both on the west side of Loch Ken. The Airds estate on the far side of the loch covers many acres and was owned in the 16C by Alexander Gordon, a noted religious reformer

McKerlie "Lands & their Owners in Scotland" gives the earliest reference to ownership as Sir James Douglas of Drumlanrig in 1589. William Gordon is given as owner in 1682. The lands of Airds seem to have been recombined under one owner, the Rev. Walter Laurie of Redcastle in 1733. His daughter, Margaret Laurie (wife of Andrew Laurie) had possession in 1762 and in 1799 Walter Sloan Laurie was owner. The land was then sold to Samuel Moffat in 1877.

Airds in earlier times had as far as can be determined, two farm sites, Upper Airds and Nether Airds. The latter place, situated on the east shore of Loch Ken has now become a private house known as "Waterside ". Upper Airds is now known as Airds or Airds Farm. Some photographs of Crossmichael and other places in the locality in the early 1900s can be seen on our Old Crossmichael page. The exact age of the farm buildings known as Airds is again uncertain. The 1856 Ordnance Survey map shows the outline of the present buildings in the form that they now are, so we can assume that they were built earlier than that date. Census records and anecdotal evidence also support the theory that the buildings were present at least 12 or more years before that, but earlier references to the buildings rather than the lands have not as yet been discovered. Most stone built farm buildings were constructed around the late 1700s or early 1800s and it is probable that this was when the farm steading in its present form was created. However, some opinion has been expressed that an earlier date might apply. Lower parts of the main walls of the farmhouse reveal a rougher form of construction than at higher level suggesting the existence of an earlier building whose foundations may have been re-used.

We will continue to develop this page as information comes to light. If you have come across any references about Airds of Crossmichael, or its owners and occupiers in the past please let us know by e mail.

Some time ago we have uncovered a piece of stonework whose purpose and origin are unknown (see the picture above). Found by the side of the track only 50 metres or so from the farmhouse, this circular piece of red sandstone about 36" diameter presents a puzzle. With the circular stone, fragments of a ring of the same material and outer diameter were also found. Although at first glance it might be thought to be a millstone, examination of the underside shows no evidence of the grooving typical of such stones. Also the central hole is square, whereas millstones have a circular form. The radiussed edge does not support the alternative theory of a grindstone. Exponents of archeology and architecture are encouraged to suggest what the item might be.