stumpy tower
Standing 95 feet (29m) tall, Girvan’s most notable landmark, Stumpy Tower, known locally as Auld Stumpy was built in 1825 – 1827 and is the last remaining link in the historic built heritage of the site. The B listed building has five levels, together with an octagonal spire and belfry, with its original bell made by Miller & Co of Glasgow in 1826, the clock was presented by Sir John Hamilton-Dalrymple, 5th Baronet. It once had cells on the first, second and third floors, all with barrel-vaulted ceilings.
In 1787 the Girvan Town Council acquired the plot of land at the corner of Knockcushan Street and Dalrymple Street for a marketplace and other uses including a tolbooth but by the early 1820s it was unfit for purpose.
Around 1822 a market-house with a town hall on the upper floor was built, with the building of Stumpy following on in 1825-27. Nobody knows who the architect was but Denham, Davidson and McWhinnie were the local contractors who built three houses and Stumpy on the site at a cost of £1,633, approximately £129,300 today.
In 1908 the buildings around Stumpy were demolished with the new McMaster Hall taking their place in 1911. McMaster Hall was gifted to the town by John McMaster (1841-1931), he was from Kirkoswald and educated in Girvan. For 28 years the McMaster Hall was the home of the Girvan Town Council and played host to civic events and dances for the local community, until it was tragically destroyed by fire in 1939.
Now Auld Stumpy stands alone, but much loved by the community. Thanks to the hard work of the Stumpy Corner Steering Group and South Ayrshire Council, the area around Stumpy was renovated in 2024 and has been upgraded to allow the space to be used for community events.
There are four floors of exhibits for the public to explore. For those unable to climb the original steep stone stairs there is an interactive display on the ground floor.
Girvan & District Attractions opens Stumpy to the public at various times throughout the year, keep an eye out for the wonderful events they orgainse, including Spooky Stumpy and the fantastic community reenactment events that bring Stumpy’s past to life.
Stumpy Tower is on the priority list of buildings for the Girvan’s Story Project, a community led regeneration project, information on the project can be found here.
