Hi all. Just a wee note on the use of the word Scotch.

Up to the middle of the 19th century the word Scotch still was used to describe anything Scottish including the people, but largely was changed to "Scots" to describe the people with the 20th century. Now used mainly only to differentiate between Rye Whisky (American and Canadian) and the real stuff "Uisge Beatha" (pronounced "whisky") meaning "Water of Life" and produced in Scotland, best consumed with water or by itself and in good company.
Irish "Uisge Beatha" is spelled Whiskey or whiskie.

Interestingly the people of Ireland (not the Ulster Scots) were still being called "Scotch" in the 10th century.

Carwall:- For Tom. As a fellow Ayrshire man I too remember being called Caerwall at school. As far as I recall it was mainly in the town of Kilmarnock that this nick-name was used and was pronounced with the emphasis on the second syllable "Cur waal/ Cerwaal" as opposed to the normal Caldwell with emphasis either on the first syllable or equally on first and second. When I moved to Stranraer area the "Caer waal" nickname some times was used but only rarely. I used to wonder if they were mixing us with Carswell as it seemed more similar but it never appeared to be used on them.

My books on old names doesn't give much light on the subject. "Car" preceding place names in Southern Scotland is
(a) from "Caethramh" pronounced Carrow meaning Quarter land, ploughland or fourth part of a Baile. i.e.Cardrain (Caethramh draighean} draighean meaning Blackthorn so Quarterland of the blackthorn.
or (b) Car shortening of crag or craig giving names like Cargen = Little rock or rocky land, Cardoon (Carr Duin) Duin meaning fort giving us Fort of the rock.
You asked about Cowal, I'm still researching that but I seem to remember it's from the name of one of the heroes in Celtic history but I'll keep digging. I'm heading back to Scotland for February so will hopefully get some Ayrshire studying done.

David Caldwell in Manitoba
p.s. I think Tom deserves a medal for his work and Plunket too.