The trading rights granted to the merchants and
Burgesses of Ayr through the charter of 1205 helped develop
the economic prosperity of Ayr through trade links with
the wider world.
The
Craft Guilds
There were nine “Incorporated Trades of Ayr” which
were self-governing and headed by a deacon. “Trade” here
means occupation.
Weavers, Dyers and Tailors
These three were closely associated in the production of
cloth, clothing and stockings for export and domestic consumption.
Fleshers
(butchers), Coopers, Skinners (tanners) and Shoemakers These four were associated in meat production,
the barrelling of salted meat for storage and export and
the processing and utilisation of the hides (a by-product
of butchery).
Squaremen (masons, carpenters, slaters and glaziers)
and Hammermen (metalworkers)
These two were principally concerned with the construction
and maintenance of property within the Burgh.
The Merchants'
Guild
The Merchants’ Guild (whose wealthiest members, those
who engaged in foreign trade, were the leaders of the community)
outweighed the craft guilds in importance. Many of Ayr’s
most prominent citizens were members of this guild.
Fairs and Markets
Imported goods were sold at market along with the crafts
of the guilds. The profits the merchants gained were shared
amongst the brethren of the guild.
Bi-annual fairs also afforded opportunities for the burgesses
to sell their wares and for others to purchase privileges
to trade at the fairs.
By the end of 18th Century Ayr had four formal fairs each
year. Apart from the serious business of trade they were
times for jollification.
The Wider
World
A number of Ayr’s prominent citizens made their fortunes
through involvement in trade and export. One of the most
notable local families were the Hamiltons of Rozelle. Through
owning plantations in the West Indies, which exploited slave
labour, the Hamiltons gained a fortune from the trade of
sugar and tobacco. This funded the prosperous Ayrshire estate
of Rozelle.
The Harbour
and Trade
Foreign trade through the harbour was always important to
the affluent merchants of Ayr. 16th Century exports to Europe
included wool, hides, cloth and salted fish with imports
of wine, spices, flour, iron and salt. In the mid 17th Century
transatlantic trade commenced initially with the West Indies
and later with North America. Cargoes of cloth, shoes and
qualified labourers were sent out and products of sugar and
tobacco brought back from slave plantations.
The customs duties brought in by the 1707 Act of Union had
an initial adverse effect on trade and brought about the
rise in smuggling.
The Industrial Revolution and growth of Empire brought new
prosperity but also led to oppression and exploitation of
the workforce at home and abroad such as coal export and
the slave trade.
