[A composite volume : containing The ballads and songs of Ayrshire ...

—
THE WARLOCK LAIKD OF FAIL.
The Laird of Fail may be considered the Sir Michael Scot of Ayrshire.
His fame, however, lacks the perpetuating influence of that
genius which has conspired to hand down the exploits of the latter to
posterity. _ Yet tradition has not ceased to narrate his wondrous
J
deeds; and superstition, listening with ready ear, still lingers by the
\ grey walls where once the Warlock dwelt. Nor has his claims to
^
distinction been altogether forgotten by the bardic race, as the foregoing
ballad testifies. It is taken from " Strains of the Mountain
\ Muse," by Mr Train, published in 1814. The humour of the poet is
scarcely so graphic as the story warrants. The dancing of the old
woman and the band of shearers, as, on entering, one by one, they
seized each other by the skirts, was performed round the fire, which
in those days invaiiably stood in the middle of the floor. When the
" merry pin" came to be withdrawn, the circle of peasant dervishes,
especially the old woman, were truly in a " melting mood," and so
thoroughly exhausted that the moment the spell was gone they fell
prostrate on the floor. A similar feat is told of Sir Michael Scot, in
a note to the " Lay of the Last Minstrel," and no doubt both are
equally ivell founded ; but so far is tradition in favour of the Ayrshire
wizard's claim to originality, that we have heard the name of
the farm condescended upon, and its locality pointed out, though we
cannot recollect either.
There are many other cantrips related of the Laird; but who the
wonder-working personage really was, tradition sayeth not, though he
must have existed no longer ago than the seventeenth century.
Fail
Castle, of which he is believed to have been the last inhabita,nt, formed
originally a portion of the Monastery of Fail, founded in 1252.
It is situated about a mile from Tarbolton, at the head of one of the
most extensive meadows in the county. A single dilapidated corner of
the tower alone remains to indicate the situation. The establishment
belonged to the Red Friars, who were also called Fratres de Redemptione
Captivorum, it being part of their duty to redeem captives from
slavery. The head of the convent was styled minister, and, as provincial
of the Trinity Order in Scotland, had a seat in Parliament.
The monks wore a white habit, vnth a red and blue cross upon the
shoulder. They were fond of good cheer, and, if the old rhyme may
be trusted, were not scrupulous as to the mode of obtaining it: