St John's Tower Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Lorgadh: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.

If you wish to email me please send your email via my profile (click on my name) and quote the cache name and number.

Lorgadh

Volunteer UK Reviewer - geocaching.com
UK Geocaching Information https://wiki.groundspeak.com/display/GEO/United+Kingdom
Geocaching.com Knowledge Books http://support.groundspeak.com//index.php

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Hidden : 1/8/2010
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

this is a magnetic nano cache so bring a pen with you

St. John's Tower Ayr.

Old... very old are the towering remnants of a once proud Church that stuck it's feet in the ground in the 13th Century. St John's Tower is the oldest surviving building in the Town of Ayr. In fact so old that it was here long before Ayr became a Burgh.

The place is steeped in history with many notable events happening within it's walls. On the 26th April 1315 a meeting of Parliament in Scotland was arranged here. At this meeting the Crown was officially given to none other than Robert the Bruce, fresh from the battlefields of Bannockburn.

Many Kings and Queens have come and gone during it's tenure. A statistical account of 1693 lists the St John's Kirk in good standing. Not war nor battle saw it's destruction, but the Town Council of 1726 took it apart one stone at a time. Mary Queen of Scots stabled her horses here during a visit in 1563. John Knox's son-in-law served as Minister here and the man himself probably preached in the Kirk. Knox's daughter Elizabeth is believed to be buried near the tower.

Lord Bute was determined to keep what was left of the Tower in good standing. In 1914 he authorized the restoration of the structure and today as it sits it's in incredible condition considering it's age. 35 years later in 1949 Lord Bute transferred the ownership to the Burgh of Ayr where it survives in good hands to this day

A miracle of 13th century construction, it stands in about an acre of ground surrounded by a 5 foot stone wall.

From here Cromwell established himself and commanded most of Scotland, building for his troops a garrison, much of the walls of which remain extant.

It is a shame that the rest of what is reputed to have been as most magnificent church was demolished, but still astonishing to find such an ancient tower intact and looking better able to withstand the future than many modern structures!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

vs lbh frn oehpr lbh jvyy svaq

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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