The Electric Brae - South Ayrshire, Scotland - UK Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

The Electric Brae is an optical illusion that occurs on the A719 road between Ayr and Turnberry above the Ayrshire coast of Scotland. Just south of the coastal village of Dunure the road heads eastwards away from the coast and seemingly downhill to a wooded gorge. Due to the configuration of the land the road is actually heading uphill and at this point a lay-by was created on the north side of the road with a stone explaining the phenomenon:

'THE ELECTRIC BRAE

KNOWN LOCALLY AS CROY BRAE

THIS RUNS THE QUARTER OF A MILE FROM THE BEND
OVERLOOKING CROY RAILWAY VIADUCT
IN THE WEST (286 FEET ABOVE ORDNANCE DATUM)
TO THE WOODED CRAIGENROY GLEN
(303 FEET A.O.D.) TO THE EAST
WHILST THERE IS THIS SLOPE OF 1 IN 86
UPWARDS FROM THE BEND TO THE GLEN
THE CONFIGURATION OF THE LAND
ON EITHER SIDE OF THE ROAD
PROVIDES AN OPTICAL ILLUSION
MAKING IT LOOK AS IF
THE SLOPE IS GOING THE OTHER WAY
THEREFORE A STATIONARY CAR
ON THE ROAD WITH THE BRAKES OFF
WILL APPEAR TO MOVE SLOWLY UPHILL
THE TERM ELECTRIC DATES FROM A TIME
WHEN IT WAS INCORRECTLY THOUGHT
TO BE A PHONOMENON CAUSED BY ELECTRIC
OR MAGNETIC ATTRACTION WITHIN THE BRAE'

Type of Historic Marker: Information stone Historical Marker Issuing Authority: South Ayrshire Council Related Website: [Web Link] Give your Rating: Age/Event Date: Not listed

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