Ross Originals Cross Stitch Chart - The Hayshed

About the Hayshed

A little of Graeme's family history is required to explain the strong sentiment he had for this design, as it was in this Hayshed that many of his happiest childhood memories were created. This is where he played as a child.

Alexander Ross married Janet Melville at Airth near Bannockburn (Scotland) in the year 1808. They had three known children - John, William and Alexander. William worked at farming on his father's property at Stirlingshire and was outstanding at ploughmanship for he won Best Ploughman on the 23rd of February, 1841. The following year William married Helen Arnott at Bathgate in Linlithgowshire. He later secured a position as Overseer for Sir Michael Shaw-Stewart, The Lord of Ardgowan. Ardgowan House is near Inverkip on the West Coast of Scotland near the city of Greenoch. William and his family lived in the overseer's house known as 'Bankfoot', a short walk from Inverkip.

On November 8, 1862 the family, including William Junior, aged 9, sailed from Liverpool on the 'Royal Family' and arrived in Australia on February 8, 1863. The following month William Senior bought 'Avondale' at Miners Rest, near Ballarat. It was this family that built the Hayshed, the 17,000 gallon water tank, and planted the pines which, until World War II were a double row. 'Avondale' and the 'Hayshed' will never be forgotten by Graeme.

In 1987 Graeme visited 'Bankfoot' and Ardgowen House and met the present-day Laird of Ardgowen.