Troon

In 1808, the 3rd Duke of Portland added docks to the existing natural harbour on the north side of the headland, under powers granted by an act of Parliament, the (48 Geo. 3. c. xlvii). The harbour opened in 1812 to serve the Kilmarnock and Troon Railway. Later improvements increased the protection afforded by the headland with an artificial "ballast bank" made from the dumped ballast of incoming merchant ships. Troon Lifeboat Station opened at the harbour in 1871 on land donated by the Duke of Portland. Troon Harbour played a notable part in the development of the town for many years. It was home to the Ailsa Shipbuilding Company, which constructed many vessels for worldwide customers but…

The name is thought to come from the office of 'Fowler to the King', the purpose of which was to supply wild-fowl to the King as required. The dwelling which came with the post was called Fowlertoun and the family may have eventually adopted the name. The Fullarton's of Angus had been required by Robert I to supply him with wild-fowl at his castle of Forfar.