Women of Ayrshire who should never be forgotten
An intriguing title for Simon Glendinning’s talk at the club on 30 September 2025. As it turned out, few of those present had ever heard of these three women that Simon introduced. Nevertheless, his easy presentation style held the audience throughout.
Simon is a passionate historian and founder member and chair of Carrick History Society, a community councillor and has many other associated historical interests.
Elsie MacKay was born in India in 1893. Her father was James Mackay, 1st Earl of Inchcape who later became chairman of P&O and owned Glenapp Estate. Elsie married Dennis Wyndham and used the name Poppy Wyndham, when she appeared on the stage and film in the 1920’s.
Elsie led a very colourful life. She was a nurse in WW1, became Britain’s first female jockey, being very successful and had a passion for flying. After her marriage failed, she returned to her family and made a career as an interior decorator, creating lavish interiors, state rooms and public spaces for her father’s shipping line. She took up flying in 1923 and in 1928 decided to fly a single engine plane across the Atlantic. She knew her father would disapprove, so kept it all a secret. She never made it and a piece of identifiable wreckage was washed ashore in west Ireland some eight months later.
Elsie is commemorated by a stained glass window in Glenapp Church
Lady Evelyn Ailsa was born in 1848, marrying the Marquess of Ailsa, a Kennedy of Culzean Castle fame, in 1871. She was a major force in the temperance movement in Maybole. She opened a coffee shop to discourage the working men from going to the pub. And did much to preach the gospel. She used her own money to establish a church in Maidens village.
Provost Sarah Dunn of Maybole was the only female provost, holding the office from 1960 to 1963. Among her many achievements was sorting out the corruption in the town! She travelled to South Africa to be with her son, and married her second husband. She returned to Scotland in later life, to a care home in Girvan, dying in 2002.
Hugh Millar congraulated Simon on his fantastic historical knowledge and suggested a few of “his own” notable women.
