William Shillilaw met a tragic end near Woodhead, in close proximity to Failford. His life was cut short in July 1685 through the actions of Lieutenant Lewis Lauder from the Sorn Castle garrison. Shillilaw’s fate was sealed due to his association with the events at Drumclog or Bothwell Bridge, as identified by the curate from Sorn church. However, this account raises a notable discrepancy as he was a mere eighteen years old at the time of his untimely demise, making his alleged involvement highly improbable.
A solemn testament to Shillilaw’s memory lies in the form of his gravestone, prominently positioned at the church’s front wall. Over the years, his resting place has been marked by a series of carefully maintained stones. The first of these markers emerged in 1727, followed by another in 1819, and most recently, the present marker in 1999. This poignant tribute was erected through the collaboration of the SCMA (Scottish Covenanter Memorials Association) in conjunction with Tarbolton Parish Church.
A guide track for ‘William Shillilaw’ is available below for listening: -
You can download a PDF of the sheet music here
- or braille format here.
The track is additionally available within the following collections and sets: -
Associated Collections: -
2/4
Ayrshire Characters
Reel
The Tarbolton Collection
