Turnpike RoadsIn 1766 and 1774 two Ayrshire Turnpike Acts were passed by Parliament. Toll cottages and check-bars were erected at intervals along the roads, and travellers, even if taking a cow to market, had to pay for the privilege of using the roads. One toll cottage was located at the junction of the Ayr Road and Glaisnock Street - which was later replaced by tolls at Bridgend and Pottery Row. The tolls on roads were abolished in 1878 to be replaced by a road assessment, which was taken over by the County Council in 1889.
Please also see the article by George Scott on the "Road to Crawfordjohn" - for a fascinating investigation into the route of an original 18th century toll road
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