The book Arran; - Cook Clan

CHAPTER XI
THE NEW ARllAN
Arran roads—short-lived industries—the new agriculture—the Fairs—
Arran as a health resort—the coming of the steam-packets—steamboats
and owners— the Lady Mary and the Heather Bell—the piers—Whiting
Bay and the rival companies—the Disruption and the Free Church in
Arran—the Union case—the Land Courh—rents and game—conclusion.
There could be no greater handicap to the new agriculture
than defective roads. We have seen what like the roads of
the island were under the Duchess Anne, and in what poor
esteem they were held by Burrel ; how he took in hand to
enforce the labour on roads imposed by statute upon each
parish. That was not a satisfactory system of upkeep; it
suffered from both unwillingness and negligence. And such
roads as did exist were of the poorest quality.
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, however,
the roads of the country began to receive the attention which
they had not known since the days of the Romans. In 1810
the first modern road was made in Arran—a Parliamentary
road, at the joint expense of the Government and the pro-
prietors. It went from Goirtein Alasdair, a little south of
Lamlash, to Brodick. Seven years later it was continued
across the island to the shore at Blackwaterfoot. This road
was maintained by a contractor, and the Duke's annual
charge was from £40 to £80 a year.^
In 1817 the Duke had a branch made to Sannox and, in
' lieport of Commissioners on Public lioads, vol. ii. p. 711.
235