AIR, or Ayr, in geography, a town of Scotland, capital of an extensive county of the same name. It stands on the river Air, and was formerly a place of good trade, and seat of fisheries; all of which have vanished, and the people now live by one another. Air appears, from history and other documents, to have been a considerable place at the time of the Norman conquest. The vouchers
of its antiquity are corroborated by an elegant building, called the Croft, which hath escaped the destructive rage of the last and preceding century. The date on this fragment of antiquity is 1055; consequently it hath stood in its place above 730 years; and it is to be wished, that the majority of the inhabitants may unite in preserving it from being destroyed by persons who have expressed a strong desire to that purpose. In 1557, the tax levied upon Air was L. 236 Scots; upon Glasgow only L. 202. In 1771, Air was assessed at 15 s. Sterl. and Glasgow at L. 18, 10s. In 1751, the pickled herrings exported from Air were 6624 barrels; since the year 1777, none. These revolutions appear the more extraordinary, when we consider the very advantageous situation of Air both by land and water; the fertility of the country; the riches of the sea; its contiguity to the western fisheries on one side, and to Glasgow on the other; the large returns for cattle, grain, and coal; the ample revenues of the town; and particularly the conveniency of its harbour for fishing-vessels of every construction.—About a mile north from the town there is a lazar-house, commonly called The King's Chapel, which King Robert de Bruce set apart for the maintenance of lepers.